GIANNIS Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the visiting Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 116-104 on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to become the NBA’s first team to reach the 50-win mark.
Brook Lopez had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee, which won for the 21st time in its last 23 games and clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season. Jrue Holiday scored 12 points, while Jae Crowder and Bobby Portis Jr. had 11 apiece.
Devin Booker scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half for Phoenix. Deandre Ayton added 16 points and eight rebounds, Cameron Payne scored 13, Jock Landale had 12, and Chris Paul had 11 points and eight assists.
The Suns have lost three straight following a four-game winning streak.
In other games, it was the Cavs 120, Hornets 104; Thunder 121, Nets 107; Knicks 123, Blazers 107; Wizards 117, Pistons 97; Raptors 125, Nuggets 110; Spurs 132, Magic 114; and Lakers 123, Pelicans 108.
Cavs 120, Hornets 104
Evan Mobley poured in 26 points in an efficient performance as Cleveland posted a second consecutive victory against host Charlotte with a win.
Mobley made 10 of 16 shots from the field and was 6-for-6 on free throws to go with a team-leading six rebounds. Cedi Osman came off the bench for 24 points, Caris LeVert poured in 22 points, Darius Garland posted 19 points, and Lamar Stevens and Ricky Rubio both had 11 points.
Charlotte’s Kelly Oubre Jr. returned after a one-game absence because of a sore back and provided 28 points for the Hornets. Terry Rozier had 22 points, reserve JT Thor chipped in with 11 points and Gordon Hayward notched 10 points.
Thunder 121, Nets 107
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to lead host Oklahoma City to a victory over Brooklyn.
Josh Giddey recorded his eighth career triple-double and his fourth of the season with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Luguentz Dort finished with 24 points, hitting a season-high six 3-pointers for Oklahoma City, while rookie Jalen Williams added 23 points and 10 rebounds.
The loss was just the Nets’ second in their last seven games and snapped a two-game winning streak. Mikal Bridges led Brooklyn with 34 points while Cameron Johnson added 23 for the game. — Field Level Media
