The Boston Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 119-116, at TD Garden on Wednesday night.

The Celtics (12-3) offered hints of a potential comfortable win early by forging a 29-17 advantage during the opening period and then one-upping a resurgent Bucks (10-5) squad in the second quarter by outscoring them, 38-36. However, the seemingly secure 15-point advantage they enjoyed going into the fourth quarter nearly slipped away, as Milwaukee came back from as much as 19 down to get to within three with 44 seconds remaining before Boston closed matters out. The final score was somewhat deceptive, as Malik Beasley's three-pointer at the buzzer is what led to the three-point final margin of victory.

Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 28 points, adding seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Damian Lillard furnished 27 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Giannis Antetokounmpo generated a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double that included five assists and two steals. Khris Middleton posted 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal.

Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 26 points, complementing them with eight assists, two rebounds and one steal. Jayson Tatum generated a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double that included four assists and one block. Kristaps Porzingis totaled 21 points, six rebounds and one assist. Derrick White registered 13 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Al Horford tallied 11 points, eight rebounds, six assists and one block. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser posted matching 10-point, two-rebound, one-assist contributions.

The Bucks return home to host the Washington Wizards on Friday night, while the Celtics hit the road and visit the Orlando Magic on Friday afternoon.