Antetokounmpo hits milestone in Bucks’ win over Hawks

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points, becoming the sixth player in franchise history to reach 11,000 points, to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 129-115 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks and end their two-game losing streak on Sunday, January 24 (Monday, January 25, Manila time).

Antetokounmpo shot 9-for-13 from the floor and had 14 rebounds and 8 assists. He entered the game tied with Marques Johnson in career scoring with 10,980 points.

The Bucks also got a season-high 21 points off the bench from Bobby Portis and 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists from Khris Middleton.

Milwaukee has won its last five games against the Hawks and claimed 11 of the last 12 meetings dating to the 2016-17 season.

Atlanta got a career-high 33 points from De’Andre Hunter and 30 points from John Collins, including a career-high 6 three-pointers. Danilo Gallinari came off the bench to score 17.

The Hawks were playing without their leading scorer and leading rebounder.

Trae Young (25.4 points per game) was out with back spasms; he had scored 81 points over the last two games.

Meanwhile, Clint Capela (14.5 rebounds) was out with right hand soreness; he had 45 rebounds over the last two starts and was coming off a triple-double with 10 blocks. With Capela unavailable, the Hawks had a season-low 5 offensive rebounds.

That left the Hawks to start Rajon Rondo at point guard and rookie Onyeka Okongwu at center. It was the first start for Okongwu, the Hawks’ first-round draft pick, who played in only his fourth game. All Okongwu had to do was guard Antetokounmpo, who blew by him for a dunk on the first play.

The Bucks wasted no time in taking care of the short-handed Hawks. They jumped out to a 9-2 lead and pushed it to 32-15 after one quarter. Milwaukee led 66-47 at halftime.

Antetokounmpo picked up his fourth personal foul midway through 3rd quarter and the Hawks took advantage. Atlanta twice whittled the lead to 8 points and Milwaukee led 94-83 entering the 4th quarter.

Milwaukee begins a three-game road trip on Wednesday against Toronto in Tampa, Florida. Atlanta returns home on Tuesday to play the Los Angeles Clippers. – Rappler.com