NBA playoffs: Grant Williams scores 21 points for Boston

NBA playoffs: Grant Williams scores 21 points for the Celtics

A former University of Tennessee basketball came off the bench to provide a lift for his team in the NBA playoffs Tuesday.

Grant Williams, a two-time Southeastern Conference player of the Year for the Volunteers, scored 21 points as Boston tied the best-of-7 NBA Eastern Conference semifinals.

Williams also had five rebounds and two assists in Boston’s 109-86 victory over the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden.

The series between the No. 3 Bucks and second-seeded Boston is tied, 1-1.

Williams played 35 minutes and went 7-for-14 from the field, 6-for-9 from beyond the 3-point arc and 1-for-2 from the free throw line.

The series continues Friday in Milwaukee.

Tipoff for game No. 3 is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and ESPN will televise the matchup.

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