The Boston Celtics aim to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time this season when they meet on Sunday afternoon.
In their previous matchup on October 28, Jaylen Brown scored 30 points and Payton Pritchard added 28 points with eight 3-pointers, leading host Boston to a 119-108 victory over Milwaukee. The Bucks held a narrow 80-79 lead before the Celtics went on an 18-2 run that spanned the end of the third quarter and into the fourth.
Brown’s availability for Sunday’s game is uncertain, as he has missed Boston’s last four games due to a strained left hip flexor. The Celtics were also without center Luke Kornet during their 108-104 overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night due to right hamstring tightness.
In the loss to Boston, Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 33 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
Milwaukee ended a six-game losing streak with a 123-100 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday but fell 116-94 to the New York Knicks on the road on Friday night. Antetokounmpo had 24 points and 12 rebounds against the Knicks but was visibly frustrated with Milwaukee’s effort level during the loss, which dropped their road record to 1-5.
Boston’s overtime victory against Brooklyn on Friday came two days after a 118-112 home loss to the Golden State Warriors. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 33 points and nine rebounds in the win, while Pritchard contributed 20 points, including six in overtime.
The Celtics struggled with their 3-point shooting against Brooklyn, recording a season-low 26.4 percent (14 of 53) from beyond the arc. Sam Hauser and Derrick White had particularly tough nights, shooting 2 of 10 and 1 of 6 from 3-point range, respectively.
