George and White Rescue Celtics After Bucks Erase 22-Point Lead in 109-102 Win

The Boston Celtics built a 22-point lead, watched it disappear completely, and still found a way to win. Paul George scored 25 points and Derrick White added 24 as Boston held off the Milwaukee Bucks 109-102 at TD Garden on Wednesday night. Boston looked in total control early, leading 28-14 after the first quarter and 62-41 at half-time. But Tyler Herro caught fire after the break, scoring 18 of his 25 points in the third quarter, and Milwaukee kept coming until it took its first lead of the night, 92-91, midway through the fourth. With the game tied at 97 and just over four minutes left, Boston finally steadied itself. White converted a three-point play to put the Celtics ahead 102-97 with 2:22 remaining, then added another basket before George buried a clutch three-pointer to create separation. Boston outscored Milwaukee 12-5 over the final three minutes to close it out. White finished 9-for-9 from the free-throw line with seven assists, scoring 11 of his points in the fourth quarter. George hit five three-pointers and added five assists and four steals. The win improved Boston to 6-2, including 5-0 at home, and it came without Jayson Tatum, who sat out for rest, and after Payton Pritchard left in the third quarter with a right-eye abrasion. Milwaukee fell to 1-7, including 0-4 on the road, with a fourth straight defeat. Boston next opens a four-game road trip at Charlotte on Friday.