Middleton, Antetokounmpo carry Bucks past Spurs
SAN ANTONIO - Khris Middleton scored 28 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 21 and the Milwaukee Bucks held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 121-111 on Saturday night.
Doug McDermott scored 25 points and Keldon Johnson added 20 for San Antonio, which lost its second straight after a season-opening victory at home over Orlando.
The Bucks deflected several runs by the Spurs in securing their second double-digit victory. Every Milwaukee starter scored in double figures, and George Hill added 15 points off the bench.
Hill and Jordan Nwora gave the Bucks a needed lift off the bench, while Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen sat. Nwora finished with seven points, six rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 21 minutes.
Milwaukee shot 53% from the field and 43% from 3-point range.
San Antonio struggled from long distance for the second straight game, shooting 10 for 39.
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The Bucks went on an 11-2 run after the Spurs pulled within 91-90 on Devin Vassell’s 11-foot jumper 2 minutes into the final quarter. San Antonio committed a turnover and were charged with a clear path foul during the run.
Vassell finished with four points. Lonnie Walker IV added 17 points for San Antonio.
McDermott hit a pair of consecutive 3-pointers in the opening quarter, and repeated the feat in the final period. He finished 7 for 11 on 3s.
Tip-ins
Bucks: Milwaukee center Brook Lopez missed his second straight game with an injured back. Coach Mike Budenholzer said the 14-year veteran would not play Monday in Indiana as the Bucks close a three-game trip. … Nwora picked up his second block of the season in the first half, sprinting down the court after a turnover, blocking an attempted layup by Tre Jones. Nwora swatted the attempt against the backboard to prevent what seemed a sure basket. Nwora swatted Jakob Poeltl’s short jumper with 3 minutes remaining in the first half for his third block.
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Spurs: Walker was assessed a flagrant foul against Antetokoumpo in the final minute of the first half following a video review. Antetokoumpo fell to the court after Walker yanked at his left arm from behind as the Bucks’ All-Star drove past him to the rim. Walker extended his hand after the play, but Antetokoumpo refused the help and instead waited for two teammates, even as Walker continued to hold his right hand out. … Bryn Forbes’ 3-pointer with 5 minutes left in the third quarter accounted for his first points since Game 3 of last season’s NBA Finals, when he was with Milwaukee. … San Antonio has had a different leading scorer in each of its first three games.
Up next
Bucks: At Indiana on Monday.
Spurs: Host Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.