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Tatum out-duels Giannis, as Celtics force decider vs. Bucks

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (left) defends Celtics forward Jayson Tatum in Game 6 of their East semis duel on May 13, 2022. Kamil Krzaczynski, Shutterstock Out/EPA-EFE" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/sports/05/14/20220514-nba-playoffs.jpg"/><figcaption>Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (left) defends Celtics forward Jayson Tatum in Game 6 of their East semis duel on May 13, 2022. Kamil Krzaczynski, Shutterstock Out/EPA-EFE</figcaption></figure></div>Boston forward Jayson Tatum poured in 46 points as the Celtics defeated the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks 108-95 on Friday to force a decisive game seven in their Eastern Conference playoff series.With his team facing elimination, Tatum delivered, drilling seven of the Celtics&#x27; 17 three-pointers and helping them withstand a 44-point, 20-rebound performance from Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and knot the best-of-seven series at three games each.Antetokoumpo posted the first 40-point, 20-rebound game since Shaquille O&#x27;Neal in 2001, but his third 40-point outburst in four games wasn&#x27;t enough for the reigning champs to advance.They&#x27;ll have to battle for a place in the Eastern Conference finals in Boston on Sunday -- the same day that the team Milwaukee beat in last season&#x27;s championship series, the Phoenix Suns, play the Dallas Mavericks in game seven of their Western Conference series.Tatum reeled off 11 straight Boston points in the fourth quarter to help thwart a rally by the Bucks, who closed a 13-point deficit to four on Antetokounmpo&#x27;s three-pointer early in the final period.It looked briefly as if the Bucks might author another impressive comeback victory, after erasing a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to win game five on Wednesday.But Tatum and the rest of the Celtics wouldn&#x27;t let that happen.&quot;I think we played with a little more toughness this game,&quot; Tatum said. &quot;Our season was on the line. I knew that and we knew that. We had to give it all we&#x27;ve got.&quot;Jaylen Brown scored 22 points, and point guard Marcus Smart added 21 points for the Celtics.Jrue Holiday scored 17 for Milwaukee, who remain without three-time All-Star forward Khris Middleton, who has missed nine games with a sprained left knee.

Tatum drilled seven of the Celtics’ 17 3-pointers, helping them withstand Antetokounmpo’s 44-point, 20-rebound game for a 108-95 Boston win Friday.