The Milwaukee Bucks got the win they desparately needed.
Despite some nervous moments in the fourth quarter, the Bucks earned a 133-123 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday at Fiserv Forum to snap a four-game losing streak.
Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 37 points and 11 assists to lead Milwaukee. Ryan Rollins added 23 points, including some big buckets down the stretch.
The Bucks (41-34) needed a strong finish in the final minutes to pull away despite shooting a team-record 51 for 74 (68.9%).
Devin Booker scored 39 points to lead the Suns (35-40), who scored 24 second-chance points and 26 points off 20 turnovers by Milwaukee.
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With Antetokounmpo scoring and creating, the Bucks took a 22-point lead after the game was tied at 63-63 in the third quarter.
The Suns started chipping away and got within 95-83 to start the fourth quarter.
Phoenix closed the gap to 109-103 with just over six minutes remaining in the game.
But Antetokounmpo seemed to steady the Bucks. He had a layup to make it 114-105 and then a three-pointer that pushed the lead to 117-107.
The Suns made another push, with two free throws from Nick Richards slicing Milwaukee’s advantage to 120-115.
Rollins made two big baskets, a layup to make it 124-117 and a three-pointer to push the lead to 127-120 with 1:09 left.
Milwaukee pulled away from there.
Five numbers
1,155 Career coaching wins for Doc Rivers, tying him with Phil Jackson for No. 7 all-time. San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich has the most wins with 1,419.
4 Consecutive games scoring in double figures for Bucks guard Ryan Rollins
67 Bucks shot 52 for 78 (67%) in the first halves of their last two games
2 Three-pointers that the Suns had overturned into two-point baskets upon video reviews
7-7 Giannis Antetokounmpo made all of his free-throw attempts in the first half
Is Giannis playing?
Yes, per Bucks head coach Doc Rivers in his pregame media availability. Giannis Antetokounmpo sprained his left foot on March 24 in Phoenix and missed one game. He was listed on the injury report vs. the Suns as probable.
Is Kevin Durant playing for the Suns?
No. Durant sprained his left ankle on Sunday night. The Suns are hopeful he will make it back before the end of the regular season.
What time is the Bucks game?
It’s an earlier tip tonight, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast on TNT/truTV/MAX.
Eastern Conference playoff picture
Heading into Tuesday’s games, this is what the Eastern Conference playoff bracket looks like:
No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Milwaukee
No. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 8 Play-in winner
No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 5 Detroit
No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 Play-in winner
Eastern Conference standings
Heading into Tuesday’s games, this is how the East standings look:
- Cleveland (60-15)
- Boston (56-19)
- New York (47-27)
- Indiana (44-31)
- Detroit (42-33)
- Milwaukee (40-34)
- Atlanta (36-38)
- Orlando (36-40)
- Miami Heat (34-41)
- Chicago (33-42)
Bucks injury report
Bucks starting lineup
- Guards: Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince
- Forwards: Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks vs. Suns odds, over/under
Milwaukee is a 5.5-point favorite over Phoenix, and the over/under is set at 225.5 points per BetMGM.
