Bucks escape wild ending with close victory over Celtics to take control of series

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 42 points and made the go-ahead basket with 44.3 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood a frantic flurry of shots in the final seconds to beat the Boston Celtics 103-101 on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal.

Boston trailed 103-100 when Marcus Smart was fouled by Jrue Holiday just before attempting a potential tying three-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining. Smart made the first free throw, then missed the second intentionally — flinging it at the rim.

That's when things got wild.

THE <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BUCKS</a> GET THE STOP AT THE FINAL BUZZER TO WIN GAME 3! <a href="https://t.co/bmagSiNuxC">pic.twitter.com/bmagSiNuxC</a>

Smart got the rebound but missed his putback attempt. Boston's Robert Williams got that rebound but also missed. Boston's Al Horford was just to the right of the basket when he converted his putback opportunity, but the shot came just after the buzzer sounded. Replays confirmed Horford didn't beat the clock.

Antetokounmpo also had 12 rebounds and eight assists. His driving finger roll helped the Bucks pull back ahead after blowing a 14-point lead.

Giannis gives Milwaukee the lead. Jrue puts them up 3.<br><br>GET TO ABC NOW <a href="https://t.co/qc8MNugI3c">pic.twitter.com/qc8MNugI3c</a>

After trailing by 13 with less than 10 minutes left, the Celtics pulled ahead 100-99 and took their first lead since early in their third quarter on Jaylen Brown's two free throws with 1:49 remaining.

Both teams failed to score on their next possessions before Antetokounmpo put the Bucks back ahead. Antetokounmpo then blocked Brown's driving layup attempt, leading to Holiday's basket that made it 103-100 with 11.2 seconds