Boston Guns Down Bucks In Over Time 102-97

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Boston Celtics Saturday night needed an overtime period, but they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center 102-97. The victory on the road, one night after suffering their first home loss at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, gives the “Green Team” the best record in the Eastern Conference at 9-2. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen led the Celtics to their fourth victory on the road.

Boston took a razor thin 21-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Celtics however were able to pull away during the second, and held a 50-38 advantage as the two opponents went to their locker rooms at the half. The margin would remain the same at the end of three with the Celtics on top 71-59.

The Bucks came alive during the fourth quarter, slowly and consistently chipping away at the Boston lead, and getting themselves back in the contest. Milwaukee would tie the game at 88-88 as forward Luc Mbah a Moute drove the lane and put it up and in with 2:58 left in regulation. Boston pulled away again holding a 93-89 advantage, when Pierce hit 26 foot trey with 2:09 left in the quarter. Veteran Richard Jefferson hit a mid-range jumper to make it 93-91, and the Luke Ridnour hit a layup with 1 second left on the clock to take the game to over time deadlocked at 93-93. The Celtics would win the game at the charity stripe in the extra period, as Allen went 4-4, and Pierce went 2-2 in the closing seconds of the game.

Paul Pierce scored 28 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, in the Boston victory. Ray Allen added 27 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, Kevin Garnett fouled out of the contest before the overtime, but would still contribute 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists, 2 steals. Eddie House came off the bench and had 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist.

Andrew Bogut was the leading scorer for Milwaukee with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist. Luke Ridnour had 19 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, Luc Mbah a Moute scored 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals. Richard Jefferson also had 14 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, Ramon Sessions came off the bench and put in 14 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds. Boston is off until Tuesday when they host the New York Knicks, Milwaukee now 5-6 will also play again Tuesday as they travel to Denver to face the Nuggets.

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