A 38-point third quarter by the Milwaukee Bucks erased a 21-point halftime deficit, but it wasn't enough to break a three-game losing streak, as the Boston Celtics pulled away 109-102 on Wednesday.

Kyle Kuzma tied the game 97-97 with 4:04 left in the fourth quarter after splitting free throws. Milwaukee built enough momentum to steal a game in the TD Garden, but Boston quelled its fight.

Paul George dished a bounce pass to a rolling Neemias Queta to regain the lead. Derrick White went on a mini 5-0 run to put the game out of reach, cementing the Bucks' fourth straight loss.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. said he's not a fan of moral victories and wants to win games, but the team has to "lay the brick down" to break through.

Jaquez said the team was more intentional coming out of halftime with a 21-point deficit. Their ball movement broke down Boston's defense, and they capitalized on the quality shots generated.

The 25-year-old opened the third with nine points, two threes, and an and-one. Milwaukee's guards drove into the paint, forcing Boston to collapse, and Jaquez relocated into open areas for both long-range snipes.

He initiated contact with a shoulder bump to Hugo Gonzales while driving downhill and converted an and-one floater.

Jaquez finished with 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting (4-for-6 from three), two rebounds, and two assists. The Bucks forward continues his strong start despite the team's 1-7 record.

Milwaukee's issue is a lack of consistency. The team has outscored its opponents by 10 points or more in one quarter in half of its games.

Wednesday's 13-point-plus margin in the third quarter is the second-best this season. The Bucks' 15-point-plus margin in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 23 is the best.

Jaquez said the team is taking away the positives and negatives of their close loss to Boston and carrying them into Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Milwaukee's roster believes it is capable of winning on any given night; the talent needs to come together.

The Bucks return to the Fiserv Forum to host the Raptors in their first NBA Cup game.

Scottie Barnes has been on a tear to start November. He's averaging 22.7 points, 9 rebounds and 6.3 assists, including a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 2.

Toronto is the ninth-best offense in the league, averaging 117.9 points per game. Milwaukee is giving up 122.3 points per game, making Friday's matchup a tough test during a four-game skid.