Milwaukee Bucks leaped past Phoenix Suns with a 129-108 victory on Sunday afternoon with Giannis Antetokounmpo powering them through a contribution of 30 points, nine assists and 19 rebounds.
The Bucks who lost to the Denver Nuggets on Friday, won their 10th game in their last 11 games. Khris Middleton scored 25 points while Brook Lopez pitched in with 17 points. The Suns, who were propelled by the valiant effort of Devin Booker who made over 30 points, lost their second game in a row.
Antetokounmpo records four triple-doubles this season
The Bucks got a dunk from Lopez just 16 seconds into the game and led the rest of the way, using an 18-6 run bridging the second and third quarters to pull away. The Suns were within 53-46 with 3:45 remaining in the half before Pat Connaughton and Middleton hit 3-pointers in a 14-6 closing burst that opened a 15-point advantage at the break.
When Wesley Matthews dropped in two free throws and Antetokounmpo sank a short shot to open the third period, the Bucks had opened a 71-52 lead and never led by fewer than nine thereafter. Antetokounmpo, who has recorded four triple-doubles this season, made 10 of his 21 shots en route to his team-high point total, which came in just 31 minutes.
Bucks outscore Suns on 3-pointers
The Bucks shot 49.5 percent, compared with the Suns' 39.0, and outscored the visitors 45-18 on 3-pointers, with Middleton accounting for three of Milwaukee's 15 treys. Lopez had twice previously had eight blocks, once for the New Jersey Nets in 2011 and again for the Brooklyn Nets in 2017.
Donte DiVincenzo added 15 points and Eric Bledsoe had 12 for the Bucks, who improved to 23-3 at home. Booker shot 9 of 15 in his 32-point effort. He also found time for seven rebounds and a team-high six assists. Deandre Ayton (20 points, 14 rebounds) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (15 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles for the Suns, while Jevon Carter chipped in 15 points and Cheick Diallo had 11.
(With inputs from agencies)
