Tatum sinks game-winning trey as Celtics squeak past Bucks
By Girald Gaston
Celtics celebrate victory against Milwaukee Bucks (PHOTO: Spin.ph via AP) |
Wild finish is already in display on the second day of new
NBA season.
Jason Tatum fired a cold-blooded trey off the bank to
spearhead Boston's escape over Giannis-led Milwaukee Bucks, 122-121, in the
teams' season opener, Wednesday night at TD Garden in Boston.
The spitfire forward drained a high-arcing game-winner over
the stretched hands of Giannis Antetokoumnpo, who missed a potential game-tying
charity that could force the game into overtime with 0.6 ticks left.
Tatum finished with 30 points, completing the 1-2 punch with
his partner Jalen Brown who tallied team-high 33 points for the escaping
Celtics that squandered their huge 17-point lead early in the payoff period.
"Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be in that
position," said Tatum. "If it goes down or not, that's what I work so
hard for. You just want to be in that moment," he added.
After the Boston star's triple, Milwaukee's Eric Bledsoe
issued a great lob pass to Antetokoumnpo, but he was fouled by Tristan
Thompson. The reigning two-time MVP delivered the first freethrow, but he
front-ironed his last from the stripe that ensured the W for the Celtics.
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer commended Tatum's shot,
and stated that Antetokoumnpo was in his A-game in the whole game.
"I think aside from the ball going in the basket, I'm
not sure we could have defended Tatum much better than we did," the 2019
Coach of the year said. "I thought Giannis did a great job individually,
great contest. Credit to Tatum, he banked in a 3 at the end of the clock."
Antetokounmpo scored 18 of his 35 points in the fourth
quarter, Khris Middleton added 27 points and 14 rebounds, and big offseason
addition Jrue Holiday registered 25 points for Milwaukee.
Boston led 101-84 after three, but Antetokounmpo was able to
outscore the Celtics 10-2 over a two-minute span midway through the fourth to
trim a 10-point Boston lead to 109-107. Just when they thought they could rob a
victory off a comeback, Tatum put the finishing touches.
Bucks will host Golden State, while the Celtics will
accomodate Kyrie Irving and Brooklyn nets on Boston to complete the five game
scheduled Christmas night on Friday.
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