By GREG MENGELT
Langford opened the game with a 3-pointer on Boston’s opening possession. He then got a dunk to give the Celtics their first lead at 5-3. That was all the scoring for the former New Albany and Indiana University star. He finished 2 for 4 and had 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 26 minutes as Boston fell to 16-17 on the season.
Boston led 94-90 through three quarters and 113-11 with 1:17 to go, but Wesley Matthews gave the Bucks a 114-113 lead with 30.3 seconds left and Khris Middleton clinched the victory with three clutch free throws. Boston led by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics didn’t trail in the game until Matthews’ 3.
The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who scored 26 points apiece. Marcus Smart contributed 19 points and Robert Williams III had a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, including 6 on on the offensive glass. Rookie Payton Pritchard scored 16 points off the Celtics’ bench.
“”I think we can only go up from here,” Pritchard said. “We’re like learning how we’re gonna finish games. So for us, we’ve got to take it as a good thing. We’re growing, so eventually we’ll get good at that area and we’ll then be able to take care of it.”
Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 36 points. He also had 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocked shots. Middleton and Jrue Holiday added 17 points each.
Boston will try to get back to .500 when it goes to Minnesota (15-7) on Monday. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
