Celtics spoil Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return, beat Bucks 108-81

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Payton Pritchard scored 25 factors, rookie Hugo González had profession highs of 18 factors and 16 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics beat Milwaukee 108-81 on Monday evening to spoil Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return from a proper calf pressure.

Derrick White additionally scored 18 factors for the Celtics, who’ve gained three straight and 7 of eight. White and Pritchard every had 9 assists.

Antetokounmpo had 19 factors and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes in his first motion since getting injured on Jan. 23. The Bucks went 8-7 throughout his absence.

General this season, the Bucks are 15-16 with Antetokounmpo and 11-18 with out him.

Boston was lacking five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown resulting from an sickness. The Celtics additionally rested Neemias Queta, who scored a career-high 27 factors in a 114-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday evening.

González began for simply the third time. The twenty eighth general decide within the 2025 draft got here in averaging 3.9 factors and three.3 rebounds.

Nikola Vucevic had 10 factors, seven assists and 5 rebounds in his first begin because the Celtics acquired the two-time All-Star from Chicago on the commerce deadline.

Boston went on a 24-5 run that began late within the first quarter and carried over to the second because the Celtics turned a 15-14 deficit right into a 38-20 lead. Boston stayed in management the remainder of the way in which.

The Celtics led by 22 earlier than carrying a 57-43 edge into halftime. Milwaukee lower the margin to 9 early within the second half, however Boston responded with 15 straight factors.

Milwaukee has misplaced its final three video games, all by a minimum of 23 factors.

Up subsequent

Celtics: Host Charlotte on Wednesday.

Bucks: Host Atlanta on Wednesday.