Young hits game-winner as Hawks topple short-handed Bucks

LOS ANGELES, USA – Rookie Trae Young drained a buzzer-beater to give the Atlanta Hawks a 136-135 NBA overtime victory over a depleted Milwaukee Bucks team on Sunday, March 31 (Monday, April 1, Philippine time). 

The Bucks, with Most Valuable Player candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo resting his sprained ankle, saw Khris Middleton sidelined by a sore left groin while Eric Bledsoe never came off the bench.

With 5 other Bucks absent through injury, Milwaukee had just 8 players in action in what turned into a wild ride in Atlanta.

The two teams combined to attempt 116 three-pointers, 109 of them in regulation.

Justin Anderson led the Hawks with 24 points and 12 rebounds. John Collins added 13 points and 12 rebounds and Alex Len chipped in another 23.

But it was Young who emerged the hero, corralling a deflected inbounds pass with his left hand and firing the game-winner that was upheld upon video review.

ANOTHA ONE@TheTraeYoung #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/XwSgQEYAjH

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 31, 2019

Sterling Brown, who missed a potential game-winner in regulation, put Milwaukee up on a layup with 1.1 seconds left in overtime but his team-leading 27 points weren’t enough.

Nevertheless, the Bucks remained a comfortable 3 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors atop the NBA Eastern Conference with 5 games left in the regular season.

“Really proud of the guys how they competed today,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Did a lot of things different, a lot of different combinations.

“Tough to lose on a tip-in at the buzzer, but I think just a ton of positives from the guys today. I look forward to continuing to get better and (moving) forward.”

Budenholzer said he couldn’t yet predict a lineup for the game against the Nets in Brooklyn, but said he thinks there’s a “good chance” that Antetokounmpo will play sometime during Milwaukee’s current three-game road trip.

“We’ll just evaluate him, give him another 24 hours, see how he’s feeling and make a decision again tomorrow,” Budenholzer said.

Mavericks beat Thunder

While Young continued to stake his claim to Rookie of the Year honors, the Dallas Mavericks were without top rookie Luka Doncic in Oklahoma City, where they nevertheless knocked off the playoff-bound Thunder, 106-103.

Oklahoma City’s playoff spot was assured with Sacramento’s loss to Houston on Saturday night, but the Thunder have plunged from 4th to 8th in the West after winning just 3 games in their last 10.

Star guard Russell Westbrook produced a triple-double of 25 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.

Paul George added 27 points and 11 rebounds and center Steven Adams contributed 20 points and 15 boards for the Thunder.

But Dwight Powell, fed by Jalen Brunson, put the Mavericks up 104-103 by hitting a thunderous dunk with 21 seconds remaining.

Dennis Schroder and George both missed three-pointers for the Thunder before Ryan Broekhoff stretched the Mavs’ lead with two free throws.

Westbrook missed a 3-pointer as time expired and Dallas – led by reserve Trey Burke’s 25 points – emerged with the victory. 

A team-high 25 PTS & 8 AST from @TreyBurke guides the @dallasmavs win at OKC! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/vItVgAoAMt

— NBA (@NBA) March 31, 2019

 

– Rappler.com