Bucks, Warriors off to winning starts in NBA conference semifinals

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – A Giannis Antetokounmpo triple-double spurred Milwaukee to victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday night, giving the Bucks a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinals series.

The Bucks were ahead 56-46 at the end of the first half and held onto the lead until the final buzzer.

The Celtics took the third quarter 24-22 but could do little to deter the visitors’ charge to a 101-89 win at the TD Garden.

Antetokounmpo finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists.

Jrue Holiday was the highest scorer of the game with 25 points, while Bobby Portis posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum had 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, along with Al Horford’s 12 points and 10 rebounds.

- Warriors take Game 1

Jordan Poole came off the bench to score 31 points as the Golden State Warriors edged out the Memphis Grizzlies in the first game of their Western Conference semifinals series.

Stephen Curry had 24 points and Andrew Wiggins finished with 17 points and eight rebounds in the Warriors’ 117-116 road victory.

The Grizzlies fell just short despite Ja Morant’s 34 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, who was backed up by Jaren Jackson Jr. with 33 points and 10 rebounds.