Paul George Carries Celtics Past Bucks 109-102
The 36-year-old wing scored 25 points and recorded four steals while covering for the rested Jayson Tatum.
By Aiko Nakamura ·
The Boston Celtics held on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 109-102 on Wednesday night.
Paul George anchored the backcourt as a primary offensive option after Jayson Tatum sat out the game to rest. The 36-year-old wing played 35 minutes, finishing with 25 points, five assists, and four steals. He committed six turnovers, the most he has turned the ball over in a single game this season.
George assumed most of Tatum's regular rotation spots, including starting the entire opening quarter. He helped Boston open a 28-14 lead in the first period. The Celtics built that advantage to 21 points at halftime, though they surrendered much of it during the second half. George played the entire fourth quarter and scored nine points to help secure the final margin.
Coach Joe Mazzulla credited George with stabilizing the lineup when rotations became stagnant. Mazzulla said he wanted to keep George on the floor for the final 12 minutes because the veteran could deliver in that stretch. The coach described George's defense as elite all year and noted that the player is grasping the offensive system. Mazzulla said the team needs the best version of George to be a great team.
George said he focused on being more aggressive without taking himself out of the offense. He aimed to let the game come to him while ensuring the ball moved. George sat out Monday's loss to the Houston Rockets because it was the tail end of a back-to-back set. He used the rest to prepare for a more prominent role against Milwaukee.
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is questionable for Friday's road game against the Charlotte Hornets. Pritchard suffered a right eye abrasion during the third quarter of the Milwaukee game. He also sustained a shoulder contusion when diving for a loose ball during Sunday's win over the Orlando Magic.
The Hornets will be without forward Grant Williams due to a hamstring injury. Dennis Schroder has a thigh injury and Moussa Diabata has a quadriceps injury; both are listed as questionable for Friday.
Charlotte star Kon Knueppel made his season debut against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. He missed the first eight games of the season with a hamstring injury. Knueppel aggravated the hamstring just six minutes into the game against Brooklyn and has been ruled out for Friday's matchup.
