Celtics hold off Bucks rally to win 109-102

Paul George scored 25 points, including five three-pointers, and Derrick White added 24 points and seven assists as the Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 109-102 on Wednesday night. The result improved Boston's home record to 5-0 despite a late-game scare from a struggling Milwaukee squad.

The Bucks, who have lost seven of their last eight games, mounted a 26-12 run in the third quarter to cut Boston's 22-point second-quarter lead to single digits. Tyler Herro scored 18 of his 25 points during that period, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. contributed 18 points for Milwaukee. Baylor Scheierman provided a bench presence for Boston with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Milwaukee tied the game at 91 with 8:17 remaining after Nate Ament scored on a layup following a Boston turnover. The Bucks took their first lead of the night at 92-91 when Ament made a free throw. Boston's Jayson Tatum sat out the game for the first time this season to rest, and Payton Pritchard missed the fourth quarter with a right eye abrasion.

White stabilized the Celtics' offense in the final minutes, converting a sequence that put Boston ahead 102-97 with 2:22 left. The team outscored Milwaukee 12-5 over the final three minutes to secure the win. Boston shot 41 percent from three-point range, making 16 of 39 attempts.

Tatum, who scored 19 points in Monday's 109-93 loss to the Houston Rockets, was the only starter to sit. The Bucks will host Toronto on Friday night, while the Celtics open a four-game road trip at Charlotte on Friday.