The Boston Celtics came into Milwaukee for a show down with the Bucks on Saturday night as a fatigued team having played 6 games in the last 8 days dating back to last week. But even as fatigued as they were they came away with a 102-97 win in overtime over the Bucks at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee.
In a game that was close late, Milwaukee’s Luke Ridnour hit a runner with 1.4 seconds left in regulation to send the game to OT. In overtime, it wasn’t very stellar play on either side of the ball as the Celtics had 4 turnovers in extra period.
Kevin Garnett also picked up his fifth and sixth fouls in the extra period fouling out the game. This left the Celtics with Brian Scalabrine as their big man as Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis had fouled out in regulation. Even with the lack of a true big man the Bucks couldn’t take advantage of the Celtics in the paint missing several shots in the extra period.
In overtime the game came down to free throws as Boston’s Ray Allen was 4/4 from the line in the final minute with the Bucks up 1, 97-96. His two freebies put the Green up 98-97. Then Milwaukee’s Richard Jefferson missed a shot and Allen was fouled as he grabbed the rebound. He made both for a 3point lead with 10.4 to play.
Dan Gadzuric missed a shot in the paint with 5 seconds left and Paul Pierce was fouled on the rebound sending him to the line with 3.6 left. Pierce hit both FT’s for a 102-97 lead and the game.
Boston (9-2) was led by Pierce who has 28 points and was 14 of 15 from the line, Allen had 27 points and Garnett added 15 before fouling out.
Milwaukee (5-6) put five players in double figures as Andrew Bogut had 20 points, Ridnour had 19 points and Jefferson, Ramon Sessions and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute all had 14 a piece.
Prior to the trip to Milwaukee, the Celtics sent J.R. Giddens to the D-League. Milwaukee was without Michael Redd and Charlie Villanueva for the game and lost Charlie Bell to an injury during the game.
The Celtics are idle until Tuesday when they face the New York Knicks at the Garden.
