The Milwaukee Bucks outscored the Celtics 36-21 in the fourth quarter, but Boston held on for the 122-119 victoryhis seventh consecutive victory.
Jaylen Brown has been tasked with guarding Bucks star Damian Lillard. Despite the guard’s 32-point output, Brown took his mission seriously and made Lillard earn every point.
“I was just trying to chase him throughout the game. He’s tough,” Brown told Abby Chin during NBC Sports Boston’s postgame coverage. “I gave Dame a lot of respect, and I was under his jersey the whole game, and he still made some tough shots. So, good for him, but it was my mission, and I took on the challenge and helped us win, but we have to be better in the fourth.
In the past, the Celtics may not have been able to close out games in which large leads evaporated late, but Brown said things are just “different” this season.
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“I just think we have a different team, different lineups. We have (Kristaps) Porzingis, Jrue (Holiday), who weren’t here today, but we have guys who can make a difference,” Brown explained. “We just play with composure, take our time and get good shots.
“I thought tonight we had a good look in the fourth; we just couldn’t stop. We didn’t panic, we didn’t rush, we had a good attack. Thanks to Milwaukee, though, they played well tonight.
With a 32-3 home record at TD Garden this season, all three of the Celtics’ losses have come against Western Conference opponents.
“It means a lot,” Brown said of the undefeated record against Eastern Conference teams. “We have to continue this momentum until the playoffs. Obviously, it’s a new team, a new year, but it’s been a blessing to be a part of this team. We have to keep the momentum going on defense and offense and try to find a way to win.
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Boston has won 18 of its last 20 games.
