Tatum, Horford power Celtics past Bucks in Game 4 to even series
Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Jayson Tatum each scored 30 points to lead the Boston Celtics’ fourth quarter comeback in a victory 116-108 over the Milwaukee Bucks Monday night. They tied their Eastern Conference semifinals at two games each.
These two teams have won alternately in the best-of-7 series. Game 5 will be played in Boston on Wednesday.
Horford scored 16 and Tatum 12, respectively, in the fourth quarter. This helped the Celtics defeat the defending NBA champion Bucks 43 to 28 in the final period. Horford’s record-breaking 30 points in the playoffs was a new career high.
Tatum scored eight and Horford six points during a 14-2 run which put the Celtics ahead and gave them a 106–96 lead with 3:33 remaining. The Bucks didn’t reduce the gap to six any further.
Al. Horford. <a href=”https://t.co/lb3Y9cYdzD”>pic.twitter.com/lb3Y9cYdzD</a>
—@celtics
Giannis Antetokounmpo was a Bucks player who scored 34 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists.
Tatum was able to rebound from Game 3, which saw him score 10 points and shoot 4 for 19. Tatum recorded 13 points and five assists. Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Marcus Smart each contributed 18 points to the Celtics.
Horford was the catalyst for the rally that began after Boston trailed by 11 at the end of the third quarter.
After completing his dunk Horford hit Antetokounmpo with his left arm, resulting in technical foul. Jrue Holiday, Horford and Antetokounmpo each made free throws to make it an 81-all.
Horford was just beginning.
Brook Lopez, Milwaukee’s forward scored four more points to make the Bucks win. The Celtics responded with 7-0 runs and broke the 85-all tie with Horford’s 3-pointer with 8 minutes remaining.
Al Horford is the Celtics’ oldest player to have a 30-point playoffs game since John Havlicek in Game 2 against the 76ers in 1977 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Havlicek had turned 37.<br><br>Horford also scored this game for the first time in 132 playoff games. <a href=”https://t.co/0sU2RFW5LN”>pic.twitter.com/0sU2RFW5LN</a>
—@ESPNStatsInfo
Antetokounmpo’s driving layup reclaimed the lead for the Bucks, who were now leading 94-92. Horford was fouled with 6:02. However, Antetokounmpo failed to make the free throw and Horford started the 14-2 run which put the Celtics in command.
Because of the soreness in Robert Williams’ left knee, the Celtics did not play post player Robert Williams. Due to a sprained medial collateral in his left knee, the Bucks lost their seventh consecutive game without Khris Middleton, a three-time All Star forward.
Ime Udoka, the Celtics coach, expressed optimism that Williams would be available for Game 4 before Tuesday’s match. The Bucks have not given any indication as to when Middleton might be back.
SourceCBC Sports
