The Celtics opened a 21-point lead in the first half and never trailed. They held that double-digit edge until the Bucks made a late charge in the final two minutes, slicing it to 114-111 before Tatum hit three free throws in the closing 21.2 seconds.
Brook Lopez led Milwaukee with 28 points. Damian Lillard had 27 points, five rebounds and five assists, but Giannis Antetokounmpo was limited to 21 points after scoring at least 40 in his last two games. He shoot poorly, just 7-20 from the field. He also had 13 rebounds and five assists.
The Bucks, who scored 130 points or more in their last three games, had a five-game winning streak halted. Tatum started despite being listed as questionable after scoring a season-high 45 points in an overtime loss at Charlotte in the last game. The Celtics led 67-53 at halftime after shooting a sizzling 58.1%, including 12 of 23 from 3-point range.
Porzingis-Holiday trade
In late June, the Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis in a blockbuster three-team deal that sent one of its longtime floor leaders, Marcus Smart, to Memphis. The Bucks later added Lillard on Sept. 27, months after he requested a trade out of Portland. Milwaukee traded Jrue Holiday in that deal, and the Celtics acquired him from the Trail Blazers four days later.
Those players got involved right away, too, when Holiday picked up Lillard defensively on Milwaukee’s first possession and Porzingis challenged Antetokounmpo’s shot that caromed off the backboard on his initial drive to the basket. Porzingis also had a poster dunk on Brook Lopez.
The Bucks: Host the Wizards in an In-Season tournament game on Friday night. The Celtics: At the Magic in an In-Season tourney game on Friday afternoon.