Celtics handle the Bucks

Ahead, 86-83, Garnett blocked Mbah a Moute’s streaking layup attempt and Rajon Rondo chased down the loose ball, helping the Celtics win their fifth straight game.

Pierce finished with 23 points while Nenad Krstic added 17. Garnett had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Brandon Jennings led Milwaukee with 23 points.

With just nine healthy players, the Celtics were erratic, lacked life, and made silly mistakes throughout the game, but as usual, they were saved by their defense. The Bucks scored 1 point in the final 3:36.

“I told our guys before the game, you had two teams with a hundred injuries,’’ coach Doc Rivers said. “They have starters out. We have our whole entire bench out and it was going to be a funky game and someone’s going to have to win it and let it be us. We’re just hanging in and winning games.’’

After missing everything on his first shot as a Celtic, Sasha Pavlovic made a 3-pointer to put the Celtics ahead, 72-65, with 10:20 left. It appeared Boston had finally overcome the pesky Bucks, but Jennings, along with John Salmons, led Milwaukee’s comeback.

Jennings evened the score at 77 when he made an acrobatic lefthanded layup, got fouled, and converted the 3-point play. Boston responded with a 5-0 run, capped by Jeff Green’s 3-pointer, but again couldn’t build on the lead. Carlos Delfino’s 3-pointer tied it at 82 with 3:36 left.

Again, the Celtics were toying with a lesser opponent and risking a costly defeat.

Down the stretch, Rivers inserted Green to replace Krstic and that caused all types of matchup problems. Garnett moved to center and Green filled in at power forward, helping the Celtics spread the floor for Pierce and Allen.

“When we had to get stops, when we had to get plays, we made them,’’ said Garnett, who collected his 23d double-double of the season. “Doc’s a mastermind when it comes to the lineups. Man, I’m telling you, every time I see Jeff Green, I’m more impressed.’’