MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points, including tipping in the go-ahead basket with 5 seconds left, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics 104-102 on Sunday to tie their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.
Boston's Marcus Morris missed a 14-footer at the buzzer with Khris Middleton's hand in his face to seal a nail-biting win for the Bucks.
Seconds earlier, the 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo jumped and reached up with his left arm around Boston's Jayson Tatum to put back Malcolm Brogdon's missed layup for the game-winner.
Game 5 is Tuesday night in Boston.
Jaylen Brown had 34 points for the Celtics, while Tatum added 21. Tatum's 18-footer with 52 seconds left gave the Celtics a brief 100-99 lead.
He just couldn't hold off Antetokounmpo on the other end for the decisive tip-in.
The disappointing end for the Celtics overshadowed their spirited rally from a 65-45 deficit with 7:37 left in the third quarter. Play got chippy and the Celtics limited the Bucks' transition game.
They came up one basket short at the end.
TIP INS:
Celtics: Coach Brad Stevens kept his starting five intact after the team never recovered from a disastrous first quarter in Game 3. Stevens said he would likely only make a switch for matchup purposes. ... Boston ended with a 43-36 edge on the boards. ... Morris finished with 13 points and shot 4 of 14.
Bucks: Starting C John Henson missed a second straight game with a sore back. ... The Bucks went with the same starting five as Game 3, with Zeller replacing Henson and Brogdon starting for Tony Snell. ... Jabari Parker led a vigourous effort off the bench with 16 points and seven rebounds. Backup C Thon Maker blocked five shots and played most of the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT:
Game 5 is Tuesday at the TD Garden in Boston.
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PREVIEW STORY:
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks take on the Boston Celtics in Game 4 Sunday at Noon at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Celtics lead the series 2-1.
HERE ARE FOUR THINGS TO WATCH DURING THIS GAME:
- NEED TO KNOW: Good as All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo is, the Bucks are getting major contributions from Khris Middleton, who is giving the Celtics headaches with his mid-range jumper and all-around game. Middleton is averaging 26.3 points in the series, while shooting 62 percent overall, 12 of 19 on 3s. "For me, it's about seeing the offense, finding my spots to be aggressive," Middleton said. "Just playing in rhythm."
- KEEP AN EYE ON: The first quarter. Veteran forward Al Horford hopes the young Celtics can take lessons from their disastrous start in Game 3 , when Boston was outscored 27-12 in the opening period and never recovered. Boston was flat in front of a raucous road crowd, overwhelmed by an energetic Bucks team that received contributions from up and down the roster. "This is new for our group," Horford said. "We'll look at film and learn from it."
- PRESSURE IS ON: One of the NBA's best defensive teams in the regular season, the Celtics have been overrun by the Bucks of late. Milwaukee shot 57 percent in each of the last two games, making a franchise playoff-record 16 3s in Game 3.
- INJURY UPDATE: It's unclear whether Bucks C John Henson will be ready after sitting out Game 3 with a bad back. ... Celtics G Marcus Smart will see a doctor again next week to determine when he can return to full-contact practice.
WTMJ (AM 620/FM 103.3) will have every game of this first round series with the call by longtime radio voice Ted Davis.
