Milwaukee Bucks stage late rally sealed by Jrue Holiday's heroics for Game 5 win over Boston Celtics, lead in East semis

play

In the fifth game of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Boston Celtics and take a 3-2 series lead.

The winner of Game 5 in a best-of-seven series tied at two has gone on to win the series 81% of the time in NBA playoff history.

Jrue Holiday added 24 points and a block and steal against Marcus Smart, while the star of the game was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 40 points and 11 rebound.

Smart said after the game that they are defending champ. We have to respond.

Even though the Bucks were trailing by double digits with about 10 minutes remaining in the fourth, Holiday recalled talk in the huddle about how there was still plenty of time for a comeback. The Bucks have relied on their experience all season to guide them through tumultuous situations, and now the ebbs and flows of a playoff series.

After Game 5, Holiday said that they had seen 14 points disappear just like that.

We always play with that confidence. If we take care of business, we will always give ourselves a chance.

The Celtics were in control of the game and seemed to be on their way to a victory when Al Horford dunked with 2 minutes remaining. It was their last field goal.

The Celtics were defeated 11-2 by the Bucks.

After Horford's dunk, Antetokounmpo knocked down a 3-pointer on the next possession, his second of the night and only his fourth this series, to cut the deficit to three.

Celtics coach Ime Udoka said that they are going to be down. We made it tougher on ourselves by showing our resolve. When we bounce back, it will be sweeter. We know we gave up a golden opportunity.

Antetokounmpo split a pair of shots at the foul line after the Celtics star hit a pair of free throws. The ball went into the hands of Bobby Portis, who put back a layup to give Milwaukee its first lead since the third quarter.

Portis said that the playoffs are all about moments. It is not about how many points you score. It is about moments. We have a lot of guys that can have moments.

Smart ended up with the ball and tried to drive to the basket against Pat Connaughton as the Celtics tried to get the ball downhill against Boston. Smart never saw Holiday block him from behind.

The Boston Celtics never got off another shot after the Milwaukee Bucks hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead to three points. Holiday stole the ball from Smart on the Celtics final possession to seal the victory.

"Just a great instinctive play by Jrue," Budenholzer said. Jrue Holiday is a winner. You ask any player in this league, any coach in this league, he is a winner.

In the fourth quarter of a playoff game in the past 25 years, the most perfect 6 for 6 from beyond the 3-point line has been recorded by the Bucks. In the fourth quarter of the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs hit all six of their 3s.

Milwaukee is on the verge of the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four years. The game will be played on Friday.

It feels good to win, but at the end of the day, can't get too high, can't get too low. They lost this one. Keep it going back and forth. You cannot get too high for this at the end of the day.

It is great to win the game, but the job is not done and we need to keep working.

Andrew Lopez contributed to the report.