Bucks Get Past Knicks, Advance In In-Season Tournament
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New York Knicks, 146-122, at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday night in the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
The Bucks endured a slow start to the game and allowed the Knicks to match up well on offense. However, the Bucks cruised as the game progressed and ultimately secured a comfortable win. The first quarter ended with a 37-35 lead for Milwaukee, and the Bucks would hold a half-time lead of three points (75-72) following a 38-37 score in the second quarter. Milwaukee would pull away for free in the third quarter, though. The Bucks dominated the game in the second half and outscored New York by a 37-24 score in the third quarter. They would close the game out following a 34-26 score in the final 12 minutes. New York was able to hang on with the Bucks in the first half, but they didn’t have enough in them to do it in the second half as well. With the win, the Bucks clinched a spot in the In-Season Tournament semifinals, where they will face the Indiana Pacers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the best player for the Bucks and finished with 35 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and three steals. Damian Lillard posted 28 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Khris Middleton had 14 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Malik Beasley recorded 18 points and three rebounds. Bobby Portis had 13 points, four boards and two blocks off the bench.
Julius Randle delivered a game-high 41 points for the Knicks, but his efforts were not enough. Randle also added six rebounds and five assists. Jalen Brunson had 24 points, six assists and three rebounds. RJ Barrett delivered 23 points and eight boards. Josh Hart was the only other New York player who scored in double digits after posting 11 points off the bench.
The Bucks endured a slow start to the game and allowed the Knicks to match up well on offense. However, the Bucks cruised as the game progressed and ultimately secured a comfortable win. The first quarter ended with a 37-35 lead for Milwaukee, and the Bucks would hold a half-time lead of three points (75-72) following a 38-37 score in the second quarter. Milwaukee would pull away for free in the third quarter, though. The Bucks dominated the game in the second half and outscored New York by a 37-24 score in the third quarter. They would close the game out following a 34-26 score in the final 12 minutes. New York was able to hang on with the Bucks in the first half, but they didn’t have enough in them to do it in the second half as well. With the win, the Bucks clinched a spot in the In-Season Tournament semifinals, where they will face the Indiana Pacers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the best player for the Bucks and finished with 35 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and three steals. Damian Lillard posted 28 points, seven assists and three rebounds. Khris Middleton had 14 points, seven assists and four rebounds. Malik Beasley recorded 18 points and three rebounds. Bobby Portis had 13 points, four boards and two blocks off the bench.
Julius Randle delivered a game-high 41 points for the Knicks, but his efforts were not enough. Randle also added six rebounds and five assists. Jalen Brunson had 24 points, six assists and three rebounds. RJ Barrett delivered 23 points and eight boards. Josh Hart was the only other New York player who scored in double digits after posting 11 points off the bench.
Lakers Defeat Suns, in QFs, 106-103
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 106-103, in the NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.
There were 11 ties and 14 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points in the second half. With that said, Los Angeles led for the majority of the game, thanks to a 33-23 first quarter. LA closed their win with a 12-4 run over the final four minutes. The Lakers recorded 11 steals in this game, winning the turnover battle, 20-9. They actually took 27 more shots than Phoenix, despite the Suns shooting much better percentages. They also outscored them in the paint, 54-44.
The Suns (12-9) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Devin Booker tallied 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Grayson Allen amassed 21 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. No other player had more than seven points. Jusuf Nurkic totaled three points, eight rebounds and four assists.
The Lakers (13-9) were led by LeBron James, providing 31 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists and five steals. Anthony Davis accrued 27 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks. The other three starters combined for just 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Austin Reaves led the bench with 20 points, six rebounds and two assists.
On deck for LA is a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans in the semis on Thursday. As for Phoenix, they'll play a regular season game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
There were 11 ties and 14 lead changes in this game, with neither team leading by more than 10 points in the second half. With that said, Los Angeles led for the majority of the game, thanks to a 33-23 first quarter. LA closed their win with a 12-4 run over the final four minutes. The Lakers recorded 11 steals in this game, winning the turnover battle, 20-9. They actually took 27 more shots than Phoenix, despite the Suns shooting much better percentages. They also outscored them in the paint, 54-44.
The Suns (12-9) were led by Kevin Durant, collecting 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Devin Booker tallied 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Grayson Allen amassed 21 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. No other player had more than seven points. Jusuf Nurkic totaled three points, eight rebounds and four assists.
The Lakers (13-9) were led by LeBron James, providing 31 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists and five steals. Anthony Davis accrued 27 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks. The other three starters combined for just 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Austin Reaves led the bench with 20 points, six rebounds and two assists.
On deck for LA is a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans in the semis on Thursday. As for Phoenix, they'll play a regular season game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday.