Bucks 96 - 102 Celtics
Final
  for this game

Celtics open homestand vs. Bucks

Feb 29, 2012 - 4:00 PM (Sports Network) - The Celtics will open up a four-game homestand tonight with an eye on reaching the .500 mark on the season when they entertain the Milwaukee Bucks.

Both clubs began the season's second half by ending long streaks on Tuesday.

Boston snapped a season-long five-game skid in Cleveland when Ray Allen paced the Celtics attack with 22 points as Boston held on for an 86-83 victory over the Cavaliers.

Kevin Garnett added 18 points to pass Charles Barkley on the NBA's all-time scoring list and added eight rebounds, while Paul Pierce and Brandon Bass netted 12 points apiece for the Celtics. K.G. now has amassed 23,758 career points and is 18th on the all-time scoring list.

"Well, it was a win," joked Boston head coach Doc Rivers after the game. "I mean, that's all it was for us. We'll take the win. We needed the win. It's a good way to end a losing streak and (start) off the second half of the season with a win."

The C's, who are 11-8 at TD Garden this season, will also square off with New Jersey, New York and Houston on their residency.

The Bucks, who are kicking off a three-game road trip tonight, halted a two- game slide and won for just the second time in eight games, taking a 119-118 thriller over Washington last night.

After John Wall's off-balance floater temporarily gave the Wizards a one-point lead, Ersan Ilyasova's tip-in with two seconds remaining lifted Milwaukee to the win.

Mike Dunleavy nailed five three-pointers en route to a season-high 28 points off the bench while Ilyasova recorded his fourth double-double in six games with 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks, who snapped a six-game home losing streak. Brandon Jennings had 14 points and 10 assists.

"We're fortunate to win," said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. "We'll take it. We've struggled to make the last play several times this year and tonight we made it."

Milwaukee is just 6-12 on the road this season and will also visit Atlanta and Orlando before returning to Brew City.

The Bucks lost all three games to the Celtics last season and have dropped 11 of the previous 14 matchups between the teams. Milwaukee is 5-10 in its last 15 trips to Beantown.






Related News