BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 34 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics held on to beat the Bucks 111-105 on Friday night in Khris Middelton's season debut for Milwaukee.
Jaylen Brown added 25 points as the Celtics made 17 3-pointers to earn their 10th victory in 11 games.
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Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) is congratulated by teammates after scoring late in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates as his team defeats the Milwaukee Bucks in an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket as Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots over Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Damian Lillard finished with 31 points for Milwaukee, which has lost two straight since winning a season-best seven in a row. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 30 points and 11 rebounds on his 30th birthday.
Middleton had 11 points and five assists in 23 minutes after missing the Bucks’ first 21 games while recovering from offseason ankle surgeries.
Boston led 107-102 after a floater by Jrue Holiday when Brown was whistled for a foul on a 3-point attempt by Middleton, who hit all three free throws.
Two free throws by Holiday put Boston ahead 109-105. Antetokounmpo then turned it over, leading to a layup by Al Horford.
Bucks: Middleton’s return marked only the 43rd time that he, Antetokounmpo and Lillard have played together. How well the recently surging Bucks can integrate Middleton could determine their prospects of contending in the East.
Celtics: This was another statement win for a team that has beaten the Bucks in all three meetings this season.
The back-and-forth antics between Antetokounmpo and Brown added another chapter Friday. Early in the third quarter, Antetokounmpo leaned his shoulder into Brown as Antetokounmpo passed by on his way to throw the ball inbounds. Brown then returned the favor he ran up the court and was whistled for a technical foul. The exchange followed a similar incident during Boston’s Nov. 10 win at Milwaukee.
The game featured 11 ties and 14 lead changes. Neither team led by more than eight points.
The Bucks visit Brooklyn on Sunday. The Celtics host Memphis on Saturday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) is congratulated by teammates after scoring late in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates as his team defeats the Milwaukee Bucks in an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket as Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots over Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s rivalry with India turned physical as Virat Kohli collided with 19-year-old Australia batter Sam Konstas on Thursday on the opening morning of the fourth test.
After choosing to bat first in hot conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia was comfortably placed at 112-1 at lunch. Konstas dominated an opening stand of 89 before he was out lbw to spinner Ravindra Jadeja for a daring 60 off 65 deliveries in a memorable debut.
The on-field action heated up at the end of the 10th over. Kohli collided shoulder to shoulder as he walked past Konstas, whose risky stroke play was attracting much banter from the fielding side.
Konstas and former India captain Kohli exchanged words after the collision and Kohli started walking back towards Konstas. Australia batter Usman Khawaja hurried to stand between the pair, patting Konstas on the arm then putting a friendly arm around the shoulder of 36-year-old Kohli in a bid to calm the situation.
“Virat’s walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that,” former Australia captain Ricky Ponting told Australia’s Channel Seven.
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan added on Fox Cricket that Kohli would face scrutiny from the match referee. “It’s Kohli that goes off line and he walks into Sam,” Vaughan said.
Earlier, Konstas looked nervous as he played and missed four times in the opening over of the match, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah.
But in a sign of the bravery of youth, Konstas played three audacious reverse scoops over slips in Bumrah’s fourth over, hitting two fours and a six.
At lunch, Khawaja was unbeaten on 38 and Marnus Labuschagne was on 12.
Australia captain Pat Cummins had chosen to bat first on a green-tinged pitch in hot conditions.
The five-match series is level at 1-1 after a rainy draw at Brisbane,
Australia made two changes to the side which dominated the drawn test in Brisbane. Seamer Scott Boland was recalled for Josh Hazlewood, who suffered a calf-muscle strain in Brisbane. Konstas replaced struggling opener Nathan McSweeney.
India named a bowler-heavy lineup, bringing in offspinner Washington Sundar so the visitors have six bowling options. Top-order batter Shubman Gill has been dropped and captain Rohit Sharma has been named at No. 3 in India’s batting order.
The series has added significance as Australia and India are ranked second and third, respectively, behind South Africa in the race to qualify for the World Test Championship Final to be held at Lord’s in June 2025. South Africa is hosting Pakistan in a two-test series that also starts Thursday.
The fifth and final Australia-India test is scheduled to start on Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
India's Jasprit Bumrah bowls to Australia's Sam Konstas during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Jasprit Bumrah walks out onto the field ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Usman Khawaja plays a shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Jasprit Bumrah bowls to Australia's Sam Konstas during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas watches the ball after playing shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas plays a shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas, right, celebrates scoring fifty runs with his batting partner Usman Khawaja during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats celebrates his fifty runs during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Jasprit Bumrah, right, reacts after bowling to Australia's Sam Konstas, left, during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats celebrates his fifty runs during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas bats celebrates his fifty runs during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Virat Kohli, right, talks to Australia's Sam Konstas, second left, as Australia's Usman Khawaja, looks on during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas walks off the field after losing his wicket during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
India's Virat Kohli signs his autograph ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Australia's Sam Konstas, centre, is congratulated by teammates after he was presented with his baggy green cap ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
