Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gestures in the fourth quarter in an NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Damian Lillard poured in 34 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 31 as part of a double-double to lift the host Milwaukee Bucks to a 123-100 win over the Utah Jazz in the NBA on Thursday night.
Lillard also dished out seven assists while Antetokounmpo hauled in a game-high 16 rebounds for Milwaukee, which snapped a six-game skid. Bobby Portis netted 19 points in a reserve role for the Bucks.
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Jordan Clarkson paced Utah with 18 points off the bench. Collin Sexton paired 14 points with seven assists, Johnny Juzang contributed 12 points and John Collins had 11 as the Jazz got outshot 51.2 percent to 42.9 percent overall.
READ: NBA: Bucks aim to regain status as championship contenders
After Andre Jackson Jr. hit a 3 to cut Milwaukee’s deficit to 61-60 just 48 seconds into the third quarter, neither team led by more than three until Lillard converted a layup and knocked down a trey to give the Bucks a 75-71 edge with 5:01 left in the period.
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Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard tries to get past Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Keyonte George went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line for Utah before Milwaukee rattled off 12 straight points to open up a commanding 87-72 advantage with 2:06 remaining.
Lillard and Antetokounmpo combined for 22 of the Bucks’ 31 points in the third, which ended with Milwaukee holding an 88-77 lead.
READ: NBA: Cavaliers improve to 8-0, nip struggling Bucks again
The Bucks were up by at least 11 for the entirety of the fourth.
Milwaukee settled for a 31-29 lead at the end of the first quarter after Clarkson scored six points in the final 33.6 seconds of the frame.
Clarkson then fed Collins for a dunk early in the second quarter, with Collins getting fouled on the play and sinking the ensuing free throw. That ignited an 11-0 run, putting the Jazz up 45-35 with 8:06 to go in the first half.
Back-to-back triples from AJ Green later helped the Bucks build a three-point cushion, but Utah ultimately went into the break ahead 61-57.
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The Jazz drained 14 3-pointers over the first 24 minutes of action. –Field Level Media
