Keys to the Game: Celtics 109, Bucks 102

Key Moment

The Celtics didn’t have their usual closer available Wednesday night. But with Jayson Tatum getting the night off, Derrick White was more than ready to fill that role.

White took over down the stretch against Milwaukee, scoring seven of Boston’s final 10 points to help the Celtics hold off the Bucks for a 109-102 win at TD Garden.

After Milwaukee battled back from a 22-point deficit to tie the game at 97-97, Neemias Queta put Boston ahead for good with a driving layup off a feed from Paul George.

Then came the biggest hustle play of the night. A missed jumper by White sparked a scramble underneath the basket, where Queta and Milwaukee’s Myles Turner battled on the floor for the rebound. The loose ball eventually found its way to Bauler Scheierman along the baseline, and he quickly fed a cutting White for an and-one layup.

Less than a minute later, White added a driving floater, and George followed with a filthy step-back 3-pointer before White knocked down a pair of free throws to seal Boston’s sixth win in eight games to start the season.

Key Player

Paul George carried Boston’s offense for most of Wednesday night, but Derrick White took the reins when it mattered most.

White saved his best for last, scoring 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to help Boston fend off Milwaukee’s comeback attempt. He was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line during the final frame, tying his career-high for makes in a quarter.

And his impact went well beyond scoring. The veteran guard finished one point shy of the game-high, while also dishing out a game-leading seven assists. He added four rebounds and two blocks, tying for the game high in the latter category, and finished plus-8 across 35-plus minutes of action.

On a night when the Celtic were without their superstar, White stepped up on both ends and delivered his best performance of the season.

Box Score Nuggets

Paul George (25 points) and Derrick White (24 points) combined for 49 points.
Tyler Herro tied George for the game high with 25 points.
George led all players with four steals.
Boston led by as many as 22 points.
The Celtics had a 54-45 rebounding advantage, including a 19-11 lead on the offensive glass.
Mitchell Robinson grabbed six offensive boards.
Boston held Milwaukee to 14 first-quarter points, its best defensive quarter of the season.
The C’s also allowed a season-low 41 points in the second half.
Milwaukee made up for its lack of first-half offense with 38 points in the third quarter.
Both teams shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range.
Boston shot a higher percentage from 3-point range (41.0 percent) than from 2-point range (40.4 percent).
Three Celtics recorded double-digit rebounds: Neemias Queta (12), Baylor Scheierman (11) and Robinson (10).

Key Quote

"We need the best version of him for us to be a great team, and I think you were able to see that tonight."

-Joe Mazzulla on Paul George

Key Moment

Key Player

Box Score Nuggets

Key Quote

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