PHOENIX, March 15 (US): The Milwaukee Bucks entered one of the toughest spots in the NBA, grabbed the lead from the Phoenix Suns midway through the fourth quarter, then closed it out with a 116-104 victory. .
It wasn’t easy to do.
But the dollars made it look easy. That’s exactly why they became the first team to clinch a playoff game this season on Tuesday night, as well as being the first 50-win team this season, AP reports.
“We just have a good balance on our team,” said Bucks guard Gru Holiday. “At any moment, anyone can explode.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo led his usual scoring 36 points while Brook Lopez added 21 points out of 23 games in an impressive two-month span. The sun has gone down three times in a row.
“We just mentioned it in the locker room for the coaches to appreciate that,” Bucks coach Mike Bodenholzer said. “Making the playoffs in this league is tough. You shouldn’t take anything for granted.”
We’re good. We’re in a good place now. We have to keep learning, and stay humble,” Antitekounmpo said.
The Suns trailed by nine points at halftime but cut the lead to 85-84 heading into the fourth after Devin Booker hit a mid-range jumper in the third quarter.
Cam Payne hit consecutive three-pointers to put the Suns up 90-87, their first lead of the second half. The game remained tight for the next several minutes, but the Bucks took the lead for good when Pat Connaughton hit a layup 3 for a 100-97 advantage with 6:30 left.
Antetokounmo added 11 rebounds and eight assists. Lopez shot 10 of 14 from the field and added 10 rebounds. The Bucks shut out the game 24-9.
He led the Booker Suns with 30 points on 13-of-27 shooting. Deandre Ayton had 19 points and eight rebounds, despite playing only 26 minutes due to a foul.
The Bucks led 57-48 at halftime. Antetokounmo led the Bucks with 20 points, while Booker and Ayton each had 10 points for the Suns. Phoenix only shot 39.2% from the field in the first half.
Monty’s anger
There was a huge free throw disparity in the game as the Bucks shot 37 while the Suns shot 16.
Suns coach Monty Williams was not pleased.
“It’s not fair,” Williams said. “Book has three free throws and Gro Holiday is one of the most physical defenders in the game. Giannis has 24. It’s ridiculous. There’s no other way to put it.”
Williams later added, “They hit us, they didn’t get it wrong, but it’s hard to swallow.”
Tori’s teeth
Suns forward Torey Craig lost a tooth in the third quarter after being hit by an unintentional elbow from Antetokounmpo. He lay on the floor for a few seconds before finding his tooth on the floor, picked it up and brought it to the seat.
Tip-ins
Bucks: Guards Grayson Allen (sore foot), Goran Dragic (sore knee) and Chris Middleton (right knee injury management) all missed the game. … C. Myers signed Leonard to a contract for the remainder of the season. Leonard played in five games while on two 10-day contracts, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds. … F Jae Crowder is back in Phoenix for the first time since being included in the trade that brought Kevin Durant to the Suns. He hit a 3-pointer with 1:23 left which gave the Bucks a 13-point lead.
Suns: Durant missed his fourth straight game with a sprained left ankle. He’s only played three games since coming to the team via trade in February. … hosted the sixty-straight crowd for sale. … Booker scored at least 20 points in 21 consecutive games. This is the third longest active streak in the NBA behind Joel Embiid and Jason Tatum.
the next
Bucks: In Indiana on Thursday.
Suns: Hosts Orlando on Thursday.