Boston Celtics Team Report - November 30

(Basketball News) - The Boston Celtics fell to the Milwaukee Bucks, 100-94, in the second of a home-and-home set Saturday at the Bradley Center.

Mike James led the Celtics with 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting from three-point range. Paul Pierce scored 21 to go along with seven assists and seven rebounds, but Boston had a two-game winning streak snapped and fell for the fifth time in seven games.

Milwaukee faced a 73-67 disadvantage going into the final 12 minutes, but immediately began to make headway. Toni Kukoc’s three-pointer with 8:40 to go knotted the game at 77 apiece.

The teams went on the see-saw after that, and a pair of James three-pointers in the final two minutes pulled Boston within one at 91-90 and 94-93. Erick Strickland then hit two free throws to push the Milwaukee lead to three points.

Pierce tossed up a desperation three-point attempt with 12 seconds to play, and was fouled by Joe Smith. But Pierce missed the first two free throws before draining the third, leaving Boston down 96-94.

Smith and Michael Redd each made a pair of free throws at the other end to seal the victory.

The Celtics are off until Monday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.