NBA: Jayson Tatum-inspired Boston Celtics deny late Milwaukee Bucks fightback to clinch important victory

Jayson Tatum’s 31 points helped the Boston Celtics hold off a late comeback from the Milwaukee Bucks to seal a crucial win at the summit of the NBA Eastern Conference.

Joe Mazzulla’s side improved their league-leading record to 55-14 following the narrow 122-119 victory, with the Bucks in second at 44-25.

The Celtics built a 21-point lead late in the third quarter with victory looking inevitable, but the Bucks clawed back 15 points in the final period for a frantic finish.

"It was ugly,” Tatum said. “We didn't play the way we wanted to in the fourth quarter and they went on a run.

"No lead is safe in the NBA. But a win is a win and we'll take it."

The Celtics have now won seven in a row and are crucially 11 wins clear of the second-place Bucks.

Star man Giannis Antetokounmpo was absent for the Bucks, but Damian Lillard managed a game-high 32 points and Bobby Portis added a further 24.

Elsewhere, the Miami Heat moved past the Cleveland Cavaliers by an equally tight margin, prevailing 107-104.

It was an easier night for the Sacramento Kings, who heavily defeated the Toronto Raptors 123-89, while the Indiana Pacers made light work of the Detroit Pistons for a 122-103 victory.

Western Conference leaders the Oklahoma City Thunder were on the right side of a 119-107 result, helped by a Chet Holmgren double-double.

His team beat the Utah Jazz to extend their season record to 48-20.

Grayson Allen scored nine three-pointers in the Phoenix Suns’ 115-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, while Kevin Durant moved eighth in the all-time scoring list, overtaking Shaquille O'Neal’s 28,596.

The Golden State Warriors scored a huge 137 points to beat the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Portland Trailblazers 116-103.

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