Bucks and Celtics finish home-and-home set

Milwaukee, WI (Basketball News) - Two teams with identical records square off in the finale of a home-and-home set when the Boston Celtics land in Milwaukee tonight to take on the Bucks at the Bradley Center.

In Friday night’s contest between the two teams, Paul Pierce recorded his third career triple- double as he scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists to lead Boston to a 106-96 win over Milwaukee at FleetCenter.

Raef LaFrentz, who was activated earlier in the day off the injured list, scored 14 points for the Celtics, who have won two straight following a four- game losing streak.

Eric Williams scored 13 and Marcus Banks added 11 points for Boston, which shot a season-high 52.6 percent from the field.

This was the first time this season that Boston has scored at least 100 in a game. It also was the Celtics first 100-point game since March 29, 2002.

Michael Redd had 20 points and Desmond Mason chipped in 16 for the Bucks, who had their two-game winning streak halted.

Boston grabbed a 22-15 edge on Pierce’s three-pointer late in the first quarter and led 28-24 after one. The Celtics widened the gap to 10 on Vin Baker’s basket early in the second period and led 58-45 at halftime.

Pierce scored 15 points, while Redd had 10 points in the opening 24 minutes.

The Celtics continued to pour it on in the second half as Pierce’s three-point play midway through the third quarter stretched the cushion to 73-54. The advantage grew to 19 moments later and Boston held an 84-69 edge after three.

Milwaukee closed within 88-77 on a free throw by Mason early in the fourth quarter. Erick Strickland’s three-pointer at the midway point of the period brought the Bucks within seven at 92-85, but they would not get any closer the rest of the game.

Bucks forward Tim Thomas missed Friday’s game with an ankle injury. He id doubtful for tonight’s contest.

Boston won for only the fifth time in the last 19 meetings with the Bucks.

Milwaukee has won two of the last three meetings between the two teams.