NBA: Boston 87, Milwaukee 74

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BOSTON, April 26 (UPI) -- Rajon Rondo had 15 assists in 25 minutes of action Thursday, helping lift the Boston Celtics to an 87-74 decision over Milwaukee.

Despite the win, Boston will have to travel to Atlanta for their playoff opener Sunday. The Hawks clinched home-court advantage in that series when they defeated Dallas on the final night of the regular season.

Boston pulled away in the second period to open an 18-point halftime advantage and coasted from there. The starters for the Celtics scored only 35 points and Rondo was held scoreless.

Avery Bradley scored 14 points for the Celtics, which finished the regular campaign with five wins in their last seven outings. Paul Pierce left the game with a toe injury, but returned and scored 12 points.

Tobias Harris had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Bucks, who finished four games below .500 and wound up in ninth place in the Eastern Conference -- one spot out of the post-season.