Bucks down Clippers for fifth win in a row

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks showed they can still rally in the fourth quarter to win games with their defense.

Antetokounmpo scored 36 points and sparked a game-closing 9-0 run as the host Bucks rallied to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 105-100 on Sunday for their fifth consecutive victory.

Milwaukee led the NBA in defensive efficiency while posting the league’s best regular-season record each of the last two years. The Bucks generally haven’t performed quite as well on defense this season but stifled the Clippers down the stretch.

The Bucks held the Clippers scoreless over the final four minutes of the game and won for the first time in 11 games this season when trailing after three quarters.

“It’s great when you go against the best in the world down the stretch,” said Antetokounmpo, who also had 14 rebounds and five assists. “You’re trying to get a stop, and they’re trying to score on you to win the game. … I love just taking that individual pride in guarding the best players.”

Paul George had 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Clippers. Serge Ibaka had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Lou Williams added 14 points.

Donte DiVincenzo had 11 and Brook Lopez added 10 for the Bucks.

Celtics 111, Wizards 110:

Jayson Tatum made two twisting, driving baskets in the final 15 seconds and finished with 31 points to give host Boston the comeback victory despite 46 points by Washington’s Bradley Beal.

Kemba Walker scored 21 points for the Celtics, and Daniel Theis had 20 points and nine rebounds.

Russell Westbrook had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards, who had won seven of eight. Davis Bertans added 20 points.

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Raptors: The Toronto Raptors’ issues with the coronavirus have worsened, which prompted the NBA to call off their game scheduled for Sunday night against the Chicago

Bulls.

The league said the Raptors are dealing with positive test results, without disclosing how many, and that combined with contact tracing issues meant they would not have the league-required eight players available.

Toronto played Friday without head coach Nick Nurse, several assistants and staffers and forward Pascal Siakam because of virus-related issues.

The Raptors-Bulls game is the 30th to be postponed so far this season because of COVID-19 testing or contact tracing.

It was the first postponement this season for the Raptors, who are playing their home games in Tampa because of coronavirus restrictions in Canada.