George, White lead Celtics past Bucks 109-102 without Tatum

Paul George scored 25 points and hit a step-back 3-pointer with 1:23 left as the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 109-102 on Wednesday, November 4, without Jayson Tatum.

George made five 3-pointers and had four steals despite six turnovers. Derrick White scored 24 and made all nine of his free throws. Boston outscored Milwaukee 14-6 over the final five minutes.

The Celtics (6-2) rested Tatum. Boston was an 82.1 percent favorite in the sportsbooks' prices and needed that late push to beat the Bucks (1-7).

A 10-0 run in the first quarter put Boston ahead 22-8, and the lead reached 22 points at 51-29 in the second. Milwaukee cut into it with 38 points in the third quarter.

The Bucks went ahead 92-91 with 6:50 left, their largest lead of the night, in a game with four lead changes and four ties. They still led 96-95 when the final five minutes began.

Tyler Herro led Milwaukee with 25 points, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 18 with four 3-pointers. The Bucks made 19 of 47 from deep but shot 41.2 percent overall.

Boston grabbed 19 offensive rebounds to Milwaukee's 11 and made 19 of 25 free throws, six more than the Bucks made.

Two free throws by Herro cut the deficit to 104-99. George answered with a 26-foot step-back 3 at 1:23, Ryan Rollins hit one of his own for 107-102, and White sealed it with two free throws at 19.8 seconds.

Up next

Bucks: home against the Toronto Raptors on Friday, November 6.

Celtics: at the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, November 6.