The Milwaukee Bucks erased a 19-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 120-112 on Tuesday, while the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics ended the year with a statement, crushing the Toronto Raptors 125-71 in a historic blowout.
Bucks Rally to Stun Pacers
Milwaukee, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 30 points and 12 rebounds, overcame an 83-64 deficit in the third quarter to secure the comeback win. After a slow start, Antetokounmpo found his rhythm in the second half, propelling the Bucks to victory.
Brook Lopez contributed 16 points, while Bobby Portis Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. added 14 each off the bench. Damian Lillard, despite scoring just nine points, hit a crucial three-pointer with 5:17 remaining to give the Bucks a lead they would not relinquish.
| Key Bucks Performers | Stats |
|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 30 points, 12 rebounds |
| Brook Lopez | 16 points |
| Bobby Portis Jr. & Gary Trent Jr. | 14 points each |
| Damian Lillard | 9 points, game-sealing 3-pointer |
Celtics Cruise Past Raptors in Blowout Victory
In Boston, the Celtics delivered their second-largest margin of victory in franchise history, defeating the Raptors by 54 points. Jayson Tatum led the way with 23 points, 18 of which came during a dominant third quarter where Boston outscored Toronto 45-18.
Seven Celtics scored in double figures, including Payton Pritchard with 19 off the bench and Derrick White with 16 points and four blocks. Jrue Holiday, returning from a shoulder injury, contributed 14 points and three steals.
The Celtics shot 54% from the field, including an impressive 22-of-43 from three-point range, handing the Raptors their 11th consecutive defeat.
| Key Celtics Performers | Stats |
|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 23 points (18 in the third quarter) |
| Payton Pritchard | 19 points (off the bench) |
| Derrick White | 16 points, 4 blocks |
| Jaylen Brown | 12 points, 9 rebounds |
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of focusing on continuous improvement: “There’s still stuff that we’ve got to work on … we’ve just got to continue to be better.”
What’s Next?
- Bucks: The win keeps Milwaukee in strong contention in the Eastern Conference, with Antetokounmpo back to full fitness and Lillard providing clutch moments.
- Celtics: Boston ends 2024 on a high, looking to carry their championship mindset and momentum into the new year as they chase back-to-back titles.
Both teams have demonstrated their strength in contrasting ways, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 NBA season.
