The Milwaukee Bucks will try to avoid a third straight loss when they face the visiting Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
The Bucks are coming off a 132-116 home defeat to Utah on Monday. It was Milwaukee’s fourth loss in five games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the Bucks against Utah, but the Jazz made 20 of 44 3-point attempts (45.5 percent).
Milwaukee guard Damian Lillard didn’t play Monday for personal reasons. Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said Lillard practiced Wednesday and will be available to play against Boston.
Lillard is averaging 25.1 points, 6.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds this season, his first in Milwaukee since the Bucks acquired him from the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Celtics trailed by nine late in the fourth quarter but rallied to beat Minnesota 127-120 in overtime Wednesday. Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 45 points in the win, 26 of which came in the fourth quarter (14) and overtime (12).
Jaylen Brown added 35 points and 11 rebounds in Wednesday win, which improved the Celtics to 18-0 at home this season. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla also praised Brown’s defense after the game.
Kristaps Porzingis didn’t play Wednesday because of a knee injury, but Mazzulla said Porzingis will be available to play against Milwaukee.
Thursday’s matchup will be the second game between the Bucks and Celtics this season. Boston prevailed 119-116 at home on Nov. 22. The Celtics built a 21-point first-half lead in that game and fended off a late Milwaukee rally.
Tatum had 23 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Brown finished with 26. Brook Lopez led Milwaukee with 28 points. Lillard had 27 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Bucks lost back-to-back games against Indiana before they won at San Antonio on Jan. 4. Houston beat Milwaukee on Saturday, and then the Bucks lost to Utah.
