MILWAUKEE (AP) – The Milwaukee Bucks demonstrated emphatically what they are capable of accomplishing when they have all their best players.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points and a record 19 rebounds, Khris Middleton recorded his second career triple-double and the Bucks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-93 Sunday.
“With a complete team, we realize what we can do as a team,” said Middleton, who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double since Jan. 20, 2018. “We we have so many guys, so many weapons that can carry us, or guys that can play or just draw a crowd.
It was the first time since the Feb. 3 win in Dallas that the Bucks had Antetokounmpo, Middleton and a seven-time All-NBA guard. Damien Lillard on the field for the same match. It was the first time since the January 31 loss at Portland that they had their preferred starting lineup consisting of Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton, Brook Lopez And Malik Beasley.
Middleton had missed 16 straight games with a sprained left ankle and also had a win against the Brooklyn nets Thursday due to injury management. Lillard also suffered a sprained left ankle that forced him to miss two games in early February. Antetokounmpo returned Thursday after missing two games with a left hamstring issue.
“I just feel this feeling of appreciation to have everyone healthy and available to play,” Antetokounmpo said. “Because when we’re not healthy, I think sometimes we play well, sometimes we don’t, sometimes we create this excuse in our mind like, ‘OK, when he comes back we’ll be better.’ But now we’re all here. There are no more excuses.
Milwaukee opened a close game in the second half as Oklahoma City (49-21) lost the lead in the Western Conference. The reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets (50-21) did not play Sunday and advanced a half-game ahead of the Thunder.
Oklahoma City posted its lowest point total and shot its lowest percentage (.371) of the season. The one in Oklahoma City Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 points — the first time since Jan. 16 he was held below 20 — and missed the entire fourth quarter after the Bucks built a lopsided lead.
“They had him in the crowd for a lot of the night and made it very difficult to stand out,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “I thought as a team our overall pace and offensive sharpness wasn’t where it should be.”
Milwaukee had seven players score in double figures. Bobby Portis had 15, Lopez 14, Lillard and Pat Connaughton 11 each and Jae Crowder ten.
“Just having everyone together makes the game easier for everyone,” Antetokounmpo said. “We must not force anything. We just continue to play good basketball, move the ball around. There will be nights when it will be my night. There will be nights when it’s Khris’ night. There will be nights when it’s ladies’ night. But we must not force anything. Everyone is a threat. I think our bench is amazing and they continue to get better.
Josh Giddey scored 19 and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder.
The Bucks led 48-47 at halftime and opened the game by outscoring Oklahoma City 18-2 in the first six minutes of the third quarter. Oklahoma City didn’t score its first basket of the third period until Williams converted a layup with 5:38 remaining that ended a 16-0 Milwaukee spurt.
Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort appeared to take a hit to the head under the basket as Williams scored, forcing the swingman to leave the game. Although Dort did not return, Daigneault said after the game, “I think he’s OK. »
FOLLOWING
Thunder: at New Orleans on Tuesday.
Bucks: organize it the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday.
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