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

BOSTON — The Milwaukee Bucks leaned on their championship pedigree in Game 5 on Wednesday night, rallying from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to escape Boston with a 110-107 victory against the Celtics and take a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The winner of Game 5 in a best-of-seven series tied at 2 has gone on to win the series 82% of the time in NBA postseason history, and Milwaukee rallied to take control of the series by outscoring Boston 33-21 in the fourth quarter, including 13-6 in clutch time.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 40 points and 11 rebounds while guard Jrue Holiday added 24 points and sealed the game with a block and steal on back-to-back possessions against Marcus Smart.

«They're defending champs,» Smart said after the game. «They made some championship plays. And now we got 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 during a timeout about how there was still plenty of time for a comeback. The Bucks have leaned on their experience all year to guide them through tumultuous situations — an injured player, a tough loss, and now the ebbs and flows of a playoff series.

«We've seen 14 points [disappear] just like that,» Holiday said after the game. «We know it's the playoffs and we know it's a great offensive team and defensive team, but we've also done it ourselves.

»We just always play with that confidence. That there's going to be time left, and if we take care of business we'll always give ourselves a chance."

The Celtics controlled the game and seemed on their way to closing out the win when Al Horford threw down an emphatic putback dunk with 2:12 remaining