Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a five-week injury absence on Monday but could not prevent the Milwaukee Bucks slumping to a hefty 108-81 defeat to the Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n
Antetokounmpo, making his first appearance since suffering a right calf strain in late January, finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort against the outclassed Bucks.<\/p>\n
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Boston meanwhile kept up their pursuit of the Detroit Pistons at the top of the Eastern Conference with a potent all-round offensive effort.<\/p>\n
All five starters finished in double digits for the Celtics, while Payton Pritchard produced an eye-catching 25-point cameo off the bench that included five three-pointers.<\/p>\n
The Celtics drained 20-of-50 from outside the arc, with Derrick White and Sam Hauser bagging four three-pointers apiece.<\/p>\n
Boston improved to 41-20 with the victory as the Bucks fell to 26-34. The Celtics are second in the East, five games behind leaders Detroit (45-14).<\/p>\n
The Bucks’ third straight loss leaves them in 11th place in the East, just outside the play-in places.<\/p>\n
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In other games on Monday, Trae Young managed the unusual feat of getting ejected for new club Washington before playing a game for the franchise.<\/p>\n
Young has been injured since his trade to the Wizards from Atlanta on January 7, but is due to make his debut later this week.<\/p>\n
On Monday however he was ejected after walking onto the court during the third quarter of the Wizards’ 123-118 defeat to the Houston Rockets to complain after teammate Jamir Watkins was shoved to the hardcourt by Houston’s Tari Eason.<\/p>\n
“Don’t expect me to get ejected too many more times D.C…but I’m definitely bringing that energy & competitiveness when I’m back for my brothers!” Young wrote on Twitter following the incident.<\/p>\n
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On the court, Washington were well beaten by Houston, who improved to 38-22 and remain in third place in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n
Alperen Sengun led the Houston scoring with 32 points while Kevin Durant finished with 30 points.<\/p>\n
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