Basketball: Antetokounmpo's triple-double lifts Bucks past Wizards
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the third quarter at Capital One Arena on March 5, 2023.
PHOTO: USA TODAY SPORTS
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WASHINGTON – Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 23 points and a season-best 13 assists to go with 10 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 117-111 victory over hosts Washington Wizards on Sunday.
“We feel like we’ve got a lot of depth,” said coach Mike Budenholzer, after six of his players hit more than one three-pointer.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that are good shooters that can get hot from the three-point line.
“So that’s part of a good team and being able to play on back-to-backs and make it through the season and be prepared for the play-offs.”
Jevon Carter added 20 points off the bench as the Bucks were victorious the night after seeing their 16-game National Basketball Association winning streak snapped by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jrue Holiday had 19 points and seven assists, Brook Lopez scored 15 points, Joe Ingles added 14 and Grayson Allen tallied 11.
For the Wizards, Bradley Beal had 33 points and nine rebounds and Kristaps Porzingis recorded 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Deni Avdija scored 17 points, Corey Kispert added 11 and Delon Wright had 10 as Washington lost for the fourth time in six games.
With the Bucks running out the clock, Antetokounmpo crept up towards the basket and quickly missed a shot off the lower part of the backboard with one second left.
He grabbed the rebound for his fourth triple-double of the season and 33rd of his career.
“I was thinking about scoring... but I feel like in those situations it’s best to kind of keep the ball,” he said.
“But yeah, I just try to play the game smart and kind of stole one.”
Khris Middleton (knee) and Wesley Matthews (hamstring) sat out for the Bucks, while Kyle Kuzma (knee) and Monte Morris (back) missed the game for Washington.
The Bucks shot 46.4 per cent from the field, including 22 of 49 from three-point range. Carter matched his career high of six three-pointers.
Washington made 42.6 per cent of their shots and were eight of 31 from behind the arc.
Beal’s three-point play pulled the Wizards within 101-100 with 5min 3sec remaining.
Ingles made a corner three-pointer to give Milwaukee a 108-104 lead with 2:37 left.
Beal’s basket brought Washington within two before Allen drained a three-pointer to give the Bucks a 111-106 edge with 1:24 remaining.
Holiday scored a basket 14 seconds later and added two free throws to make it a nine-point margin as Milwaukee closed it out. REUTERS
