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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 49 factors, Khris Middleton had 26 factors and 11 rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks edged Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets 117-114 on Sunday.
Antetokounmpo additionally had eight rebounds, 4 assists and three blocked pictures. He went 21 for 36 from the sector, serving to Milwaukee overcome a terrific efficiency by Durant.
The Bucks (40-24) gained for the third time in 4 video games to tug inside 2 1/2 video games of the Nets (43-22) within the three-way battle for the highest spot within the Japanese Convention. Philadelphia is on high at 42-21 heading into its matchup with San Antonio on Sunday night time.
Milwaukee hosts Brooklyn once more on Tuesday night time.
Durant had 42 factors and 10 rebounds for the Nets, however he missed a troublesome fadeaway 3-pointer on the buzzer. Kyrie Irving scored 20 factors, and Landry Shamet completed with 17.
Antetokounmpo completed three factors shy of his profession excessive, set towards Philadelphia in March 2019.
A slick transfer by Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks a 117-112 lead, and Irving answered with a layup. However Durant and Khris Middleton traded 3-point misses earlier than the ultimate try by Durant.
Jrue Vacation had 18 factors for Milwaukee, and Bryn Forbes completed with 12.
Antetokounmpo scored the Bucks’ first 16 factors of the third quarter, and his private streak stopped when he handed to Forbes for a 3-pointer. He had 18 factors within the third, and the sport was tied at 90 heading to the fourth.
Durant lifted the Nets with 13 factors within the quarter, together with three 3-pointers.
Coach Steve Nash stated the two-game sequence towards the Bucks is “a terrific rehearsal” for a potential playoff matchup. Nash stated he didn’t assume the Nets can be maintaining any secrets and techniques within the two video games. “We’re nonetheless rising,” Nash stated. “We’re nonetheless studying. We’re making an attempt to get there, not to mention begin hiding issues.”
Antetokounmpo was cleared to play and began after spraining his proper ankle within the opening minute of the Bucks’ loss at Houston on Thursday. He missed the Bucks’ 108-98 win in Chicago on Friday.
“They’ve put him by means of fairly a little bit of testing and work,” coach Mike Budenholzer stated. “Giannis could be very acquainted with his physique and these kind of accidents. In some unspecified time in the future you cross the check, you’re feeling good, you go.”
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Antetokounmpo scores 49, performs robust protection, leads Bucks previous Nets initially appeared on NBCSports.com
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