There is simply no stopping the reigning champion Boston Celtics right now.
Payton Pritchard scored 19 of his 28 points in the first half, and the Celtics kept rolling thanks to a 119-108 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Bostom improves to a league-best 4-0 on Tuesday, October 29 (PH Time).
Finished off strong 💪 pic.twitter.com/ea1AIuPK5z
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 29, 2024
Pritchard finished with eight triples made, tying former Boston guard Eddie House for the most threes made in a single game.
Payton Pritchard is a FLAMETHROWER from deep 🔥
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 29, 2024
He has 28 points and 8 made threes, a Celtics record for most 3PM off the bench 🍀pic.twitter.com/B3lq7FdLj4
Reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown topscored the Celtics with 30 markers, the first time he hit the 30-point mark this season along with six rebounds and four dimes.
Jrue Holiday had 21 points as all Boston starters scored in double digits.
Boston rode a 13-3 closing run to end the third frame with Derrick White and Payton Pritchard waxing hot from deep to take a 90-82 lead entering the fourth.
DERRICK WHITE ON BOTH ENDS 💪💪
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024
Back-to-back triples and the HUGE block part of a 15-5 Boston run!
📺 Bucks-Celtics on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/EgQa026mtl
PAYTON PRITCHARD NOTHING NEW 😈
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024
Races up to hit the TOUGH 3 to beat the 3Q buzzer!
THRILLING Eastern Conference showdown on NBA TV. pic.twitter.com/lP5csyXXxj
The Celtics then scored the first seven points of the final frame to build their biggest lead of the game at that point, 97-82 with 10:23 left.
And every time Milwaukee cut Boston's lead to single digits, the Celtics responded with key baskets led by Brown, Holiday and Jayson Tatum.
They hit 18 threes in total and led by as many as 18 points in a 2022 East semifinal playoff rematch that saw the Celtics win that series in seven games.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 and 30 points respectively, the first time both superstars scored 30 or more points in a single game this season.
Pretty reverse lay from Lillard. pic.twitter.com/L0xCNWpeft
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 29, 2024
Giannis SLASH.
— NBA (@NBA) October 29, 2024
Giannis FINGER ROLL.
Giannis AND-1.
Bucks-Celtics BATTLING on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/8EtkelBHh7
Brook Lopez chipped in 13 points, six rebounds and four blocks for Milwaukee, who just shot 8-of-31 from deep and had 17 turnovers.
On a second night of a back-to-back, the Bucks kept close and led at halftime, 56-53, behind their superstar duo's combined 29 points.
But getting outscored, 37-26, in the third quarter put Milwaukee in a hole they never recovered en route to another loss.
Up next for the Bucks are the Memphis Grizzlies while the Celtics go head-to-head against the Indiana Pacers in an East Finals rematch.
