It's over. If you're talking about the NBA's Eastern Conference and its best overall record, let there be no doubt that the Celtics rule the kingdom and their reign will last until at least the play-offs.
Scratch the Bucks, the tough leaders of the Central Division, and the last challengers. Boston pulled away in the last three minutes for a 121-115 victory to not only wrap up the best record in the East, but complete a four- game sweep of Milwaukee, the first since the 1979-80 season.
It was Boston's 59th victory of the season. Milwaukee (50-23) was mathematically eliminated with last night's loss, and thus Boston will have home-court advantage should they meet in the conference finals.
The Celtics were led by Larry Bird (35 points) and Dennis Johnson (29). Terry Cummings had 31 for Milwaukee, which dropped out of contention after battling to a 109-109 deadlock with four minutes left.
The Bucks raced to a 20-9 lead in the early moments. Sidney Moncrief led the way, scoring 12 points as the Celtics tried using Bird against him.
Bird's response to such matters was predictable. First, he cooled off the Bucks with a three-point shot and came back with two free throws. When Kevin McHale sank a fast-break layup, the Milwaukee lead was cut to four points, 20-16.
After Boston cut the lead to 20-18, Craig Hodges slowed down the Celtics' run with a three-point play. Milwaukee went ahead, 25-20, only to have Danny Ainge hit a three-pointer. Milwaukee went up, 28-25. But with 2:02 left, Boston tied the game at 28 on two free throws by Johnson.
Milwaukee regained the lead on two free throws by Ricky Pierce and a jumper by Moncrief. But Boston came back with three fast breaks, two of which resulted in layups by Ainge and Johnson. Two free throws by Johnson gave the Celtics a 34-32 lead. But a baseline hook by Alton Lister enabled the Bucks to tie the game at the quarter, 34-34. Moncrief led both teams with 14 points. Johnson had 10 for Boston.
The Bucks started quickly in the second period, charging from the sixth tie of the half (36-36) to 43-36 lead. Two baskets by Cummings helped them overcome a 36-34 deficit. Down by seven points, coach K.C. Jones went to his bench.
Milwaukee ran its lead to nine points, 47-38. Two free throws by Moncrief and a basket by Randy Breuer put the Bucks in the driver's seat. Boston had hit only 1 of 10 shots in the first five minutes.
Things picked up for the Celtics about a minute later when the regulars returned. Bird's long jumper made it 47-42. But the Celtics had trouble getting closer as Milwaukee matched them basket for basket. With 2:01 left, Milwaukee led, 58-52.
It was a 62-54 game with 54 seconds left when Bird sank a basket. Then Johnson hit a driving layup to bring the Celtics within four. The half ended on Johnson's spectacular basket, which traveled three-quarters the length of the court. It didn't count but had the crowd buzzing. Johnson wound up the half with 20 points.
The Celtics made one defensive change at the start of the second half, putting Bird on Paul Pressey, who had been shutout in the first half by Johnson. Johnson switched to Moncrief, who had killed the Celtics with 23 points.
Milwaukee countered by switching its attack to Cummings. After Boston tied the game at 62, Cummings hit five points and the Buck lead grew to 71-67. Boston came back to tie the game at 73 and the game got physical. This was just what Boston hoped would happen.
Milwaukee was leading, 81-79, when Bucks coach Don Nelson was hit with a technical foul after a zone-defense call. One free throw and two emotionally- charged baskets later, the Celtics had an 85-81 lead. Parish sank a stuff shot and Bird a three-pointer.
But the Bucks were not about to quit, rallying to tie the game at 85, 87 and 89. A three-pointer by Charlie Davis with two seconds left gave Milwaukee the lead after three quarters, 92-91. The game was tied nine times in the third period.
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