Bucks 111, Nets 93: Big third quarter leads to rout
New York – Giannis Antetokounmpo did not get a triple-double on Thursday night at the Barclays Center.
But the reason was the best one possible.
Milwaukee's reserves played well enough in the fourth quarter that the Greek Freak could sit back and enjoy the rest of the game as the Bucks rolled to a 111-93 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Antetokounmpo finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while playing just 30 minutes as the Bucks (9-8) won their third straight and continued to show they are coming together as a unit. Jabari Parker added 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
Tony Snell and Malcolm Brogdon each had 13 points while playing big roles in the third quarter, when the Bucks erupted for 38 points to take control of the game. Milwaukee led, 90-78, entering the fourth quarter.
"We got the ball moving," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said of the decisive stretch. "But it all starts with our defense. We got stops and we got it in the open court.
"Giannis made some great plays offensively in finding the shooters. We were putting pressure on their defense with our transition offense and guys knocking open threes down."
Antetokounmpo faced a throng of reporters in the visitors' locker room after the game, possibly his biggest challenge of the night. He said he will take the triple-double another time and appreciated getting the fourth quarter off.
"We play them again in two days," Antetokounmpo said. "He (Kidd) did a great decision in sitting me the fourth quarter. They (his teammates) did real well. We were up 10 and then we were up 24."
Neither team could get it going early in the fourth quarter, but the Bucks eventually extended the lead behind their reserves, including Mirza Teletovic, who sank 3 three-pointers and scored all nine of his points in the period.
"Coming out to Brooklyn, we had to give the starters some rest," Teletovic said. "That's one thing the Milwaukee Bucks have is a long bench. And everybody who comes in contributes and helps the team out."
Kidd said he wasn't sure how close Antetokounmpo was to a triple-double but other factors were at play. The Greek Freak also had four steals and two blocks and was 7 of 9 at the free-throw line.
"Maybe I messed him up by not being able to get it," Kidd said. "It's a hot thing right now. But I thought his intent was at a very high level. And when you can get rest and you don't have to come back in the fourth, and your teammates pick you up, it just shows our young team is starting to grow."
The Bucks hit 15 of 34 three-pointers and did a good job defending the three, limiting Brooklyn to 30% on 12 of 40 attempts.
"We know they're going to shoot the three," Kidd said. "We tried to make it tough."
Brook Lopez paced the Nets (5-13) with 15 points and Sean Kilpatrick added 14. Brooklyn was coming off a double-overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
BOX SCORE: Bucks 111, Nets 93
The Bucks and Nets will meet again in the second game of the mini-series on Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee.
Neither team could gain control in the first half and the Nets used a 6-0 run to pull within 52-51 at halftime.
The Bucks outscored the Nets, 59-42, in the second half. Brogdon and Snell each hit a pair of threes in the third quarter as Milwaukee started to pull away.
"We couldn't pierce their defense," Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. "They kept us in front and they would switch it and keep you on the perimeter.
"I would like to see how many rim attempts we got, but I don't think we converted at a high rate. So credit to their defense. They were tough to score on tonight."
THREE TAKEAWAYS
1. Parker took advantage of a second-quarter matchup against a smaller defender when Kilpatrick guarded him. The Bucks forward scored seven straight points to help Milwaukee spurt to a seven-point lead before the Nets closed the gap to one point at halftime.
2. The Bucks had to generate their own energy in a quieter arena after the thrilling 118-101 home-court victory over Cleveland on Tuesday. Milwaukee shot only 39% in the first half but shot 63.2% in the third quarter (12 of 19), including 5 of 9 three-pointers.
3. The Nets had 18 turnovers leading to 26 points by the Bucks.
UP NEXT
Teams: Brooklyn Nets (5-13) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (9-8).
When: 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center.
About the Nets: Former Bucks summer leaguer Kilpatrick has earned a starting spot with his play. Isaiah Whitehead, a rookie from Seton Hall, is starting at point guard with veteran Jeremy Lin sidelined by a hamstring injury. Joe Harris led the Nets' subs with 11 points on Thursday.