Joe Mazzulla is taking nothing for granted despite seeing his Boston Celtics team overcome the Milwaukee Bucks in what could be a prelude to a playoff game.

The Celtics won 122-119 on Wednesday, with the Bucks - who sit second in the Eastern Conference, but 11 games behind runaway leaders Boston - unable to get over the line in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Jayson Tatum scored 31 points for the Celtics, who have now won seven games on the bounce.

Mazzulla, however, does not necessarily see the win as a preview of what could come in the postseason.

He said: "Nothing's guaranteed in life.

"We may see them; they may see us; we may not. You never know what's going to happen.

"I know both teams are developing an identity and there's obviously a DNA there that both teams have. But you don't want to overthink things. And you don't take anything for granted."

Payton Pritchard chipped in with 19 points for the Celtics, while Derrick White had 23 and Jaylen Brown finished with 21.

"Everybody always had talked about his shooting," Mazzulla said of Pritchard.

"But I think this year, in particular, he’s been impacting by his rebounding, impacting by his defense, his pace.

"He's just becoming a really well-rounded player who knows he can have a positive impact on the game in many different ways, and it's a huge asset for us."

Pritchard, meanwhile, said he was motivated by an insult dished out to teammate Luke Kornet by the Bucks' Patrick Beverley, who seemingly mocked the Boston man for his height.

"It kind of lit a fire under me," said Pritchard.

"He's trying to clown one of our teammates. So I definitely took it a little personally."