Giannis’ tip-in gives Bucks win
MILWAUKEE — After seeing a 20-point second half lead slip away, Giannis Antetokounmpo came up with a huge play in the final seconds to save the Milwaukee Bucks from a devastating loss.
Eric Bledsoe passed the ball right from the perimeter on Milwaukee’s final possession. Antetokounmpo moved down low to the left side of the basket and Malcolm Brogdon came across the lane for a driving hook shot in traffic that hit the rim.
The 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo was in perfect position to reach over Boston’s Jayson Tatum to tip in the miss for the go-ahead basket with 5 seconds left for a 104-102 win on Sunday over the Boston Celtics. Their first-round playoff series is tied at two games apiece.
“It’s a heck of play,” coach Joe Prunty said.
Antetokounmpo finished with 27 points, while Khris Middleton added 23. Middleton also played in-your-face defense in the final seconds on Marcus Morris, forcing the Boston forward to miss a 14-footer at the buzzer.
The Bucks’ two best players made the crucial players to hold on for a tense win victory, another sign of maturity for the one of the league’s upand-coming teams.
Game 5 is Tuesday night in Boston.
“One of the most important things that we can carry from this game moving forward is that we stayed disciplined and we trusted one another,” Antetokounmpo said.
Jaylen Brown had 34 points for the Celtics, while Tatum added 21.
SPURS 103, WARRIORS 90
Manu Ginobili scored 10 ofhis16pointsinthefourth quarter of what could have been his final home game with the Spurs, and San Antonio beat the Golden State Warriors to avoid a series sweep as coach Gregg Popovich remained out following the death of his wife.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Spurs, but they were willed to the finish by the 40-year-old Ginobili, who has said he will decide in the offseason if he will return for a 17th season.
Kevin Durant had 34 points and 13 rebounds for the Warriors, who can wrap up the series in Game 5 at home Tuesday. Popovich missed his second straight game after his wife, Erin, passed away Wednesday following a prolonged illness.
Lead assistant Ettore Messina led the Spurs again, but to a much different showing than in Game 3.
WIZARDS 106, RAPTORS 98
John Wall took over down the stretch after Bradley Beal fouled out, having a hand in 10 of Washington’s last 14 points and finishing with 27 points and 14 assists as the No. 8 seed Wizards came back to beat No. 1 Toronto and even the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at 2-all.
The game was tied at 92 with about five minutes left when Beal — who led Washington with 31 points — drew his sixth foul on a play in which he and DeMar DeRozan collided while Toronto had the ball.
Beal raced along the sideline, put his hands on his head, then returned to the Wizards’ bench area and threw a red towel before being restrained by teammates.
Toronto will host Game 5 on Wednesday.
DeRozan started 0 for 6, before winding up with 35 points, six assists and six rebounds.