The Boston Celtics’ Enes Kanter fouls the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half Thursday in Milwaukee. (AP photo)

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer dug into his team after Thursday night’s win.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 23 and the Bucks held off the Boston Celtics 128-123 despite blowing two separate 20-point leads.

“We were up 20 twice and they came back,” Antetokounmpo said. “… We didn’t play the best basketball and how we usually play. I was kind of upset after the game. We talked in the locker room. We talked to one another. We were up 20 and we won but we’ve got to play for 48 minutes.

“Coach Bud came in here and he was steaming hot. He was angry and that’s good. He doesn’t really care about this game or the next game. He cares about how we can get better and how can we be good for 48 minutes. That’s what our goal is.”

Despite the lapses, the NBA-leading Bucks (37-6) extended their winning streak to five games, while Boston lost its second game in as many nights.

“It’s a very long season, still,” Celtics guard Kemba Walker said. “We got so many games to play. When you have losses like this, you just have to learn from it, and I think we will.”

Walker scored a game-high 40 points to lead Boston, which took the floor without Jaylen Brown. The 6-foot-6 forward suffered a sprained right thumb in a 13-point loss to Detroit on Wednesday.

Antetokounmpo, who also had seven assists, recorded his 35th double-double of the season.

After trailing by as many as 27, the Celtics outscored Milwaukee 36-22 to pull within 127-123 with 38 seconds to play. But Smart missed a 3-pointer and Middleton knocked down one of two free throws to seal the victory.

“Not enough, at least from the start,” Walker said of his team’s energy level. “As the game went along, we were a little better. But, games like this happen. We just have to be ready.”

Antetokounmpo scored the first basket of the night and the Bucks never trailed.