Bucks beat Celtics 113-101, lead 3-1

(AP):

When Giannis Antetokounmpo picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter of a tie game, the Boston Celtics sensed a chance to pull away.

Instead, Milwaukee took control.

Of the game, and the series.

Antetokounmpo watched the Bucks bench open a double-digit lead, then returned with a dominating fourth quarter to finish with 39 points and 16 rebounds as Milwaukee beat Boston 113-101 on Monday night to move one win from its first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 2001.

"If we're honest with you, when Giannis and Khris (Middleton) go to the bench, you're concerned," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said after his reserves outscored Boston's 32-7 in the game and turned a 59-all tie into a 78-68 lead. "But you have confidence that group can play."

Outscored Boston's bench

George Hill scored 15 points -- nine in the third quarter -- and Pat Connaughton had nine points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Milwaukee, which outscored Boston's bench 42-16 in Game 3. After sitting out the last 8:18 of the third quarter, Antetokounmpo scored 17 points with seven rebounds in the fourth to help the Bucks pull away.

"It's always hard to take out Giannis; let's start there. But at the end of the day, we are conscious of trying to keep him fresh," Budenholzer said. "It's hard to find the words (for) what he does for our team, both ends of the court. He's special, but he's very hungry. He wants more, and he's playing that way."

The Bucks have won three straight since losing the opener of the best-of-seven series at home and can eliminate the Celtics in Game 5 at home on Wednesday night. They have not reached the East finals since the '01 team of Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson fell to Philadelphia's Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo in seven games.

"Good players, when they have an opportunity like this, they don't waste it," Antetokounmpo said. "At the end of the day, I've got to do whatever it takes to help my team win."