The Milwaukee Bucks snapped the Boston Celtics' winning streak with a thrilling comeback in the second half, winning 116-101 on Thursday night. Despite the absence of star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed his third consecutive game due to a strained right calf, the Bucks rallied behind Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis. Kuzma led the charge with a season-high 31 points, while Portis contributed 27 points and 10 rebounds, including a crucial 8-2 run in the fourth quarter that put the Bucks ahead 95-82. Portis' shooting prowess was on full display, as he hit 11 of 13 shots, including 5 of 6 from beyond the arc, in just 26 minutes of play. Kevin Porter Jr. also had a stellar performance, recording 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists. The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown's 30 points and Jordan Walsh's 20, saw their five-game winning streak come to an end. Boston led 67-60 at halftime, but the Bucks' strong third-quarter performance, fueled by Kuzma's 9 points, tied the game at 71. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with the Bucks trailing by 10 in the first quarter and the Celtics responding with a 23-9 run. However, the Bucks' resilience and Portis' clutch shooting proved to be the difference-makers in the end. The Bucks' record improves to 2-7 without Antetokounmpo, who is expected to be out for two to four weeks. The Celtics, on the other hand, will look to bounce back when they host the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The Bucks will also be in action, visiting the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
