Bucks Close Out Third Straight Win
By Dan Bruno
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 133-127, at Fiserv Forum on Saturday night.
The Kings jumped out to a great start with a, 35-27, lead after one quarter, but the Bucks bounced back in the second, outscoring the visitors, 35-19, to take an eight-point lead by halftime. Both sides came out level in the third and the Bucks held on to the eight-point lead heading into the final frame. The Kings used an, 8-3, run late in the fourth to cut it to a three-point game, but the Bucks came up clutch down the stretch to close out their third straight win. This marks the third straight loss for the Kings.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 34 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 33 minutes. Jrue Holiday followed up with 26 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Donte DiVincenzo added 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Bucks shot 50 percent from the field, including 21-of-42 from deep.
Meanwhile, Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 29 points, six rebounds and three assists, in 38 minutes. Tyrese Haliburton followed up with 24 points, six points, 12 assists and a steal, while Terence Davis totaled 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Kings shot 53 percent from the field including 15-of-37 from long range.
The Kings (18-30) will look to bounce back as they take on the Celtics in Boston on Tuesday. The Bucks (30-19) take on the Cavs in Cleveland on Wednesday.
The Kings jumped out to a great start with a, 35-27, lead after one quarter, but the Bucks bounced back in the second, outscoring the visitors, 35-19, to take an eight-point lead by halftime. Both sides came out level in the third and the Bucks held on to the eight-point lead heading into the final frame. The Kings used an, 8-3, run late in the fourth to cut it to a three-point game, but the Bucks came up clutch down the stretch to close out their third straight win. This marks the third straight loss for the Kings.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 34 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal, in 33 minutes. Jrue Holiday followed up with 26 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Donte DiVincenzo added 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Bucks shot 50 percent from the field, including 21-of-42 from deep.
Meanwhile, Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 29 points, six rebounds and three assists, in 38 minutes. Tyrese Haliburton followed up with 24 points, six points, 12 assists and a steal, while Terence Davis totaled 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Kings shot 53 percent from the field including 15-of-37 from long range.
The Kings (18-30) will look to bounce back as they take on the Celtics in Boston on Tuesday. The Bucks (30-19) take on the Cavs in Cleveland on Wednesday.
Cavaliers Defeat Thunder Comfortably
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 94-87, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
The Cavaliers (28-19) and the Thunder (14-32) played a game that turned out to be tighter than expected based on each team's record. Cleveland got off to a good start, though, with a 24-22 score in the first quarter and they held that slim two-point lead at the break. The Cavaliers pulled away for good in the third quarter, though, with a 31-23 score in the third. The Thunder attempted a comeback with a 19-16 score, but that was not enough and Cleveland won.
Darius Garland was the best player for the Cavaliers and delivered another All-Star level performance with 23 points and 11 assists, while both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley posted double-doubles. The former Nets big man had 14 points and 13 rebounds, while the rookie posted 15 points and 17 boards. Cedi Osman was the only other Cleveland player who scored in double digits as he ended with 10 points off the bench.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the best scorer for Oklahoma City and he ended with 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Luguentz Dort had 10 points but was ejected from the game. Kenichi Williams ended with 12 points and four rebounds, while Aaron Wiggins posted 11 points. Both players were coming off the bench. Josh Giddey had eight points, five boards and three dimes.
The Cavaliers (28-19) and the Thunder (14-32) played a game that turned out to be tighter than expected based on each team's record. Cleveland got off to a good start, though, with a 24-22 score in the first quarter and they held that slim two-point lead at the break. The Cavaliers pulled away for good in the third quarter, though, with a 31-23 score in the third. The Thunder attempted a comeback with a 19-16 score, but that was not enough and Cleveland won.
Darius Garland was the best player for the Cavaliers and delivered another All-Star level performance with 23 points and 11 assists, while both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley posted double-doubles. The former Nets big man had 14 points and 13 rebounds, while the rookie posted 15 points and 17 boards. Cedi Osman was the only other Cleveland player who scored in double digits as he ended with 10 points off the bench.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the best scorer for Oklahoma City and he ended with 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Luguentz Dort had 10 points but was ejected from the game. Kenichi Williams ended with 12 points and four rebounds, while Aaron Wiggins posted 11 points. Both players were coming off the bench. Josh Giddey had eight points, five boards and three dimes.
Suns Defeat Pacers, 113-103
The Phoenix Suns defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers, 113-103, at Footprint Center on Saturday.
There were three ties and six lead changes through the first 15 minutes but Phoenix never relinquished the lead after a 35-29 second quarter. The Suns then rode a 33-20 third quarter to a game-high 18-point lead, getting their lead up to 22 points at times in the final frame. Phoenix shot 49 percent from the field while holding Indiana to 44 percent shooting. In addition, they out-assisted the Pacers, 34-19, while out-rebounding them, 51-44. The Suns also won the turnover battle, 17-11.
The Pacers (17-30) were led by Chris Duarte, collecting 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Goga Bitadze amassed 16 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Justin Holiday had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Lance Stephenson led the bench with 17 points, and three rebounds, while Jeremy Lamb had 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
The Suns (36-9) were led by Mikal Bridges and his 23 points, six rebounds and four assists. Chris Paul compiled 18 points, four rebounds, 16 assists and four steals. JaVale McGee totaled 13 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. while Devin Booker generated 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Bismack Biyombo led the bench with 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Phoenix remaining home to face the Utah Jazz and Indiana staying on the road to play the New Orleans Pelicans.
There were three ties and six lead changes through the first 15 minutes but Phoenix never relinquished the lead after a 35-29 second quarter. The Suns then rode a 33-20 third quarter to a game-high 18-point lead, getting their lead up to 22 points at times in the final frame. Phoenix shot 49 percent from the field while holding Indiana to 44 percent shooting. In addition, they out-assisted the Pacers, 34-19, while out-rebounding them, 51-44. The Suns also won the turnover battle, 17-11.
The Pacers (17-30) were led by Chris Duarte, collecting 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Goga Bitadze amassed 16 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Justin Holiday had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Lance Stephenson led the bench with 17 points, and three rebounds, while Jeremy Lamb had 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
The Suns (36-9) were led by Mikal Bridges and his 23 points, six rebounds and four assists. Chris Paul compiled 18 points, four rebounds, 16 assists and four steals. JaVale McGee totaled 13 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. while Devin Booker generated 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Bismack Biyombo led the bench with 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
Both teams return to action on Monday, with Phoenix remaining home to face the Utah Jazz and Indiana staying on the road to play the New Orleans Pelicans.