The Milwaukee Bucks (24-33) defeated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers (11-47) 108-101, Monday night at BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Milwaukee led the whole way en route to their fourth win in five games. The Bucks came in averaging 110 points per game in their last three wins and almost reached that number again, which is surprising considering their offense was ranked bottom-five in the league for much of the season before the All-Star break. They Bucks have now won two in a row and improve to 16-9 at home.
Seven players scored in double digits for Milwaukee, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, who tallied a triple-double as he led the way with a game-high 27 points (12-17 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-6 3Pt), along with 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Antetokounmpo also blocked four shots and nabbed three steals, in 41 minutes. Khris Middleton chipped in 18 points (5-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 7-8 FT), six assists, two rebounds and two steals, in 35 minutes, while Jabari Parker added 15 points (7-15 FG, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and four assists, in 36 minutes. The Bucks shot 51 percent from the field thanks largely to their excellent job moving the ball, which resulted in 32 assists on 44 made field goals.
The Lakers struggled to formulate any consistent offense as only 36 percent of their shots were successful. Nick Young tallied a team-high 19 points (5-12 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 6-8 FT), along with three rebounds, in 23 minutes off the bench. Jordan Clarkson scored 15 points, along with three assists, three rebounds and two steals, in 24 minutes. Kobe bid fairwell to the city of Milwaukee by dropping 15 points (3-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-9 FT), along with five rebounds and two assists, in 24 minutes, while fans chanted his name in the final minutes of the game. The Lakers gave up a sloppy 17 turnovers, leading to 20 points for the opponent.
The Lakers will play next on Thursday, in Boston.
The Bucks will head to Memphis for a date with the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
