Celtics spoil Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return, roll past Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo was back. The Boston Celtics barely blinked.

Boston handled the Milwaukee Bucks, 108-81, on Monday night, overshadowing Antetokounmpo’s return from a right calf strain that had sidelined him since Jan. 23.

Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes. Milwaukee went 8-7 during his absence. The bigger issue now? The Bucks have dropped three straight, all by at least 23 points.

Boston, meanwhile, keeps stacking wins.

Payton Pritchard scored 25 points. Rookie Hugo González delivered career highs with 18 points and 16 rebounds in just his third start. Derrick White added 18 points, and both White and Pritchard handed out nine assists.

Boston was without Jaylen Brown due to illness and rested Neemias Queta one night after his 27-point outing.

Still, the Celtics controlled it early, turning a one-point deficit into an 18-point cushion with a 24-5 run spanning the first and second quarters.

Milwaukee trimmed it to nine in the third. Boston answered with 15 straight. Game over.