CHARLOTTE, N.C. — — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 points and 10 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks swept the four-game series with Charlotte, beating the Hornets 111-99 on Thursday night to complete a home-and-home set.
Malik Beasley added 19 points – hitting five 3-pointers – and Bobby Portis had 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Bucks shot 16 of 39 from beyond the arc to give coach Doc Rivers his first four-game winning streak with the team.
The Bucks have beaten the Hornets by an average of 29.2 points this season – the largest margin in team history – after outscoring them by 38, 36 and 31 in the other three games. This match was closer, but not by much.
“It’s veterans versus young players,” Rivers said of the game against the Hornets, three of which took place after he was hired. “(Hornets coach) Steve Clifford is a heck of a coach and it’s obvious to see, but he has a group of kids that are learning how to play winning basketball. And one of his best players (LaMelo Ball) is missing.
Milwaukee shot 55% in the first half, including 9 of 18 from 3, to build a 19-point lead at the break and was seriously undermined in the second half.
The Bucks moved the ball extremely well in their four winning games, emphasizing extra passes to turn good shots into great ones.
Portis said it reflected Rivers’ leadership.
“Shout out to Doc,” Portis said. “Having a guy who can sit down with everyone and tell each player what is expected of them, it allows you to take more ownership of your role. And I think the ball finds energy when you move it, play free, drive and hit. The ball finds the right man and everyone lines up and shoots it.
Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 21 points and Miles Bridges added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
At first, it looked like it would be a replay of Tuesday night when the Bucks held the Hornets to 26 points in the first half en route to a 123-85 victory in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee took a 10-2 lead behind an Antetokounmpo dunk to take control early.
The Hornets briefly got back into the game late in the first quarter after Thanasis Antetokounmpo was whistled for a technical foul on the bench for challenging a foul call against his younger brother Giannis. Thanasis Antetokounmpo yelled at officials after a scramble for the ball under the basket involving his brother, Charlotte’s Bridges and Grant Williams. Giannis Antetokounmpo finally collected the loose ball and scored on the glass.
But the Hornets couldn’t maintain their momentum, as the Bucks closed the first half with a 24-10 run behind Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who finished with 17 points.
Clifford wasn’t exactly happy with his team’s defense.
“We gave up on practices where we just had bad positions, bad angles and no help,” Clifford said. “The guys shouldn’t run us over like they did.”
Miller said the Bucks are playing at a “high level,” adding that “I think they’re getting ready for the playoffs, so of course they’re a great team.”
FOLLOWING
Bucks: At Chicago Friday night.
Hornets: At Philadelphia Friday night.
——
APNBA:
