Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 43 points, Bucks hold off Hawks

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 factors and 12 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 124-115 on Wednesday night time for his or her sixth straight victory.

Defending champion Milwaukee edged a half-game forward of idle Philadelphia for second place within the Jap Convention and moved inside two video games of first-place Miami, which misplaced at dwelling to NBA-leading Phoenix.

Bobby Portis added 23 factors and 15 rebounds, and Khris Middleton had 23 factors and eight assists to assist Milwaukee beat Atlanta for the primary time in three tries this season.

Trae Younger led Atlanta with 27 factors and 11 assists, together with 22 factors within the second half, and De’Andre Hunter had 17 factors.

Antetokounmpo slashed to the basket repeatedly and dunked or scored from shut vary as he made 15 of twenty-two area targets and 12 of 17 on the free throw line. He scored 82 factors in a 24-hour span after getting 39 in a victory at Oklahoma Metropolis on Tuesday night time.

“The issues he does will not be regular,” Portis stated. “It’s enjoyable to be his teammate and enjoyable to play alongside him.”

Middleton made a number of excellent lobs to Antetokounmpo for straightforward baskets early within the recreation, serving to his teammate get off to an ideal begin with 17 factors within the first quarter.

“I see him work day by day but in addition I’ve seen the expansion and the greatness,” Middleton stated. “When it is entrance of your eyes day by day you get used to it, however not in a nasty approach. You simply understand how good he’s and also you anticipate a lot of him.”

Portis and Middleton took over within the second quarter, combining for 27 of Milwaukee’s 31 factors.

The Bucks took a 68-54 halftime lead however the Hawks rallied behind the play of Younger and pulled inside 5 factors late within the fourth quarter.

Middleton and Jrue Vacation sank 3-point photographs to assist the Bucks preserve their lead, and Milwaukee’s protection stiffened as Portis blocked a shot by Bogdan Bogdanovic and Middleton drew an offensive foul on Hunter.

Portis’ rejection got here with the Bucks main by eight factors, after Antetokounmpo scored on a drive to present Milwaukee a 120-112 lead.

“The block by Bobby stands out to me,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer stated.. “That’s what we’d like. We want stops down the stretch. There are going to be a number of shut video games within the East. It’s nice to see it come defensively.”

Hawks coach Nate McMillan was enraged on the offensive foul name on Hunter and picked up two technical fouls in a row to be ejected with 1:22 remaining.

“I assumed De’Andre’s play was the identical play that Giannis had completed a few instances on this recreation, and the outcome was a foul on De’Andre,” McMillan stated. “I assumed Giannis twice on a few our guys drove by way of them.”

Middleton made each free throws stemming from the technicals and Antetokounmpo rebounded a miss and scored to present the Bucks a 124-112 lead.

The Bucks continued their robust run because the all-star break. They misplaced to Brooklyn within the first recreation after the break however have rebounded to win the following six, together with victories over Miami, Chicago and Phoenix. Now they head west for a four-game journey, opening at Golden State on Saturday night time.

“I feel we had been assured as a crew earlier than however I feel we’re constructing a number of good habits,” Antetokounmpo stated. “We’re taking part in collectively. We’re determining how you can play down the stretch. We’re determining how you can field out and get rebounds, to get the ball to Jrue or Khris to make performs.

“We’re feeling good as a crew.”

TIP-INS

Hawks: Kevin Huerter returned from a left shoulder damage suffered in a March 4 recreation at Washington. Huerter was within the beginning lineup and completed with 16 factors. Ahead John Collins performed for the third straight recreation after lacking seven video games with a strained foot. He scored simply two factors and was 0 for 9 from the sphere in 19 minutes.

Bucks: George Hill (neck soreness), Pat Connaughton (proper finger surgical procedure), Lindell Wigginton (proper ankle sprain) and Lopez had been out. Grayson Allen (left hip) returned from a one-game absence and contributed 11 factors and 5 rebounds in 28 minutes.

UP NEXT

Hawks: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night time.

Bucks: At Golden State on Saturday night time.