Bucks edge Celtics 131-125 in OT for 11th straight win

MILWAUKEE(AP) — Jrue Holiday demonstrated just why he’s heading to theAll-Star Game for the first time in a decade.

Holidaymatched a career high with 40 points andmade a go-ahead3-pointer with 25.2 seconds left in overtimeas the MilwaukeeBucks edged the short-handed Boston Celtics 131-125 on Tuesday fortheir 11th consecutive victory.

The32-year-old Holiday shot 8 of 12 from beyond the arc—including one from behind midcourt that beat thethird-quarter buzzer— to set a career high for3-pointers.

“I don’treally, I guess, care for how I’m playing as long as we’rewinning,” said Holiday, who also had seven assists. “For me, aslong as we get the win, I’m OK. The only stat I look at isturnovers. That’s kind of how I determine if I had a good or badgame. Tonight, what did I have, five turnovers? To me, that hurtsmy soul.”

Holiday willjoin Bucks teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo at Sunday’s All-Star Gameat Salt Lake City. It’s the first time Holiday has been selectedsince he was playing for Philadelphia in 2013, which marks thelongest gap between All-Star appearances in league history.

“I’ve saidsince the season started that he’s an All-Star,” Antetokounmposaid.

Antetokounmpoadded 36 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists as the Bucks (40-17)moved within a half-game of the Celtics (41-17) in the EasternConference standings.

Boston wasplaying without both its All-Stars – Jayson Tatum (non-COVIDillness) and Jaylen Brown (facial fracture) – as well as MarcusSmart (sprained right ankle) and Al Horford (swelling in rightknee).

The Celticsstill nearly earned their fifth straight win.

“We expectedto win that game,” said Malcolm Brogdon, who scored 26 points. “Wewent into that game like we were going to win, like we weresupposed to win. We believe we are the best team on the floor everysingle night.”

Boston’s SamHauser, a Wisconsin native who had 40 friends and family members inthe stands,made a game-tying 3-pointerwith threeseconds left in regulation to force overtime. Boston’s DerrickWhite then scored the first five points of overtime.

The Celticsstill had a five-point lead with two minutes left, but the Bucksscored the final seven points of the game. The game-ending spurtstarted with Holiday’s go-ahead 3-pointer.

“On both endsof the court, he was phenomenal,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzersaid. “I think his ability to create some turnovers and createpressure helped flip it. We went down and he made a few big-timeplays that just are very Jrue-like. Special performance byhim.”

GrantWilliams lost the ball on Boston’s next possession, Grayson Allengot the steal and a clear-path foul was called on the Celtics with3.2 seconds left.

Antetokounmpomade the ensuing two free throws and capped the scoring with a dunkat the buzzer.

SCARYMOMENT

Antetokounmpolanded awkwardly after an unsuccessful drive to the basket late inthe fourth quarter and lay on the floor for a while before walkingslowly back to the bench, but he never actually left the game.

“They gave mea quick update just saying that they think he just banged kneeswith somebody,” Budenholzer said. “We’ll check him in the morning,but I’d say the initial kind of report was positive.”

TIP-INS

Celtics:White, the reigning Eastern Conference player of the week, ledBoston with 27 points. ... Boston lost despite having a 27-10 edgein points off turnovers. ... Mike Muscala got his first careertechnical foul for saying something to the Bucks bench afterdunking in the third quarter.

Bucks:Antetokounmpo’s nine assists increased his career total to 3,271.He’s one behind Paul Pressey for the career franchise lead. ...Holiday’s other 40-point game came for theBucks against NewOrleans on Dec. 17, 2021.... Antetokounmpo and Holiday won’tbe the only Bucks representatives at the All-Star Game thisweekend. Johnny Watson, the Bucks’ executive producer for arena andevent presentation, will direct and produce in-game entertainmentat the All-Star Game for an eighth time. Bucks disc jockey DJShawna and in-game host Melanie Ricks will handle those same rolesat the All-Star Game.