BOSTON _ The reserve Bucks gave a top-notch effort in the regular-season finale against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night at TD Garden.
Despite playing without four key players who stayed home to rest for the Eastern Conference playoffs, Milwaukee stayed close for three quarters before dropping a 112-94 decision to the Celtics, who were able to secure the No. 1 seed in the East.
Cleveland lost at home in its season finale so Boston would have clinched the top spot even if had dropped the game.
Boston finally pulled away with a 25-2 run in the fourth quarter behind reserves Avery Bradley and Gerald Green, and the Celtics did not have to bring point guard Isaiah Thomas back in the game in the final quarter.
Green led Boston (53-29) with 18 points and Jae Crowder and Amir Johnson each added 16.
Spencer Hawes and Michael Beasley each had 15 points to lead the Bucks (42-40).
Milwaukee led by 13 points early in the second quarter before the Celtics rallied to take a 57-56 halftime lead,
The Bucks led, 88-87, in the fourth quarter before the Celtics went on their game-breaking run.
