Bucks Hold Off Celtics 86-84 In Possible Playoff Preview

Read more about the Bucks on SB Nation’s Bucks blog, Brew Hoop, and follow the Celtics on CelticsBlog.

Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Andrew Bogut totaled 25 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks, and the Bucksused a run in the fourth quarter to take the lead and then held off the Boston Celtics, 86-84, at the Bradley Center.

Carlos Delfino had 19 points and eight rebounds for the Bucks, who have won four in a row overall and five straight at home. John Salmons added 16 points for Milwaukee, which survived a missed jumper by Paul Pierce at the buzzer to beat the Celtics for just the second time in the last nine meetings.

Brandon Jennings finished with 13 points for the Bucks, who won for the 10th time in their last 11 overall. His jumper capped a 14-2 burst, giving the Bucks an 86-79 lead with under three minutes left.

“I know a lot of people used to say here in March this team really doesn’t do too good,” Jennings said. “This year, we’re turning it around a little bit.”

Rajon Rondo ended with 20 points and six assists for the Celtics, who had their four-game winning streak broken. Kevin Garnett chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Ray Allen, coming off a 25-point performance against Washington on Sunday, was limited to three points on 0-of-3 shooting for the Celtics.

“They just made big plays down the stretch and we didn’t,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “I thought all the 50-50 plays in the game was going to be the difference in the game, loose ball, offensive rebounds. I thought they won that battle.”

Rondo’s three-point play pushed Boston’s lead to 77-72 with 5:58 left, but Salmons hit the go-ahead three-pointer during Milwaukee’s big surge.

Garnett’s jump hook got the Celtics within 86-84 with 53.2 seconds left and the door was open for the Celtics after Salmons missed a jumper and Jennings was off the mark on a three-pointer. The latter miss was pulled down by Allen, giving the Celtics 8.6 seconds following a timeout.

Pierce took the shot from the right wing under pressure from Bogut, but the ball clanked off the rim as time expired.

Nate Robinson hit a pair of three-pointers to close the first quarter for the Celtics, who trailed 24-22 after 12 minutes.

It was a back-and-forth second quarter, but the Celtics gained a 46-42 edge at the break. The contest remained tight in the third and a three-pointer in the waning seconds by Rasheed Wallace extended Boston’s lead to 68-64 entering the fourth quarter.

Jennings was fouled hard by Boston’s Glen Davis with 8:03 left in the fourth quarter and the pair had to be separated by officials...Pierce scored 12 points.