Bucks stun Celtics to level series

GREEK star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points, including the decisive tip-in with 5 seconds remaining, to give the Milwaukee Bucks a 104-102 National Basketball Association playoff victory over Boston on Sunday.

The triumph pulled the Bucks level with the Celtics at 2-2 in their best-of-7 first-round Eastern Conference series, which continues in Boston tomorrow.

Malcolm Brogdon’s 3-pointer gave the Bucks a 102-100 lead before Boston’s Al Horford made 2 free throws to equalize. Brogdon then missed a jumper but Antetokounmpo followed with a tip-in and the Bucks denied the visiting Celtics in the final seconds.

“This win is incredible,” Antetokounmpo said. “We kept our composure and fought all the way to the end.”

Khris Middleton added 23 points while Jabari Parker had 16 off the bench for Milwaukee.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 34 points.

Defending NBA champion Golden State failed to complete a sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, with Manu Ginobili coming off the bench to score 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to spark the hosts over the Warriors 103-90.

“Our defense was more aggressive than the previous games. Our aggressiveness was off the charts,” Ginobili said.

“We need to help each other. Today we did that.

“We moved the ball. We made some shots that helped, but it was about teamwork.”

LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who led from start to finish to trim Golden State’s lead in their Western Conference series to 3-1.

The Warriors, who were led by Kevin Durant’s 34 points and 13 rebounds, can advance to a second-round series against the New Orleans Pelican with a Game 5 home victory tomorrow.

The Spurs remained without coach Gregg Popovich, who missed his second game following the death of his wife, which has left the team heartbroken as well. “It’s a tough time. We’ve never been through this type of adversity,” said Ginobili.

“Our leader is struggling. We’re trying to push through it like he would do if he weren’t at home.”

In Indiana, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers rebounded from a Game 3 loss to even their Eastern Conference series at 2-2 with a 104-100 victory over the Pacers.

James finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists and Kyle Korver scored 18 points for the Cavaliers in the win.

Game 5 is in Cleveland on Thursday.

In Washington DC, Bradley Beal scored 31 points, while John Wall had 27, and the Wizards beat the No. 1 seed Toronto Raptors 106-98 to level their Eastern Conference series at 2 games apiece.

Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan started 0 for 6, before winding up with 35 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Kyle Lowry added 19 points.

The Raptors will host Game 5 on Thursday.