The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 111-98, at Phillips Arena on Sunday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has undoubtedly been the linchpin of the Bucks’ (20-19) attack all season, but over-reliance on any one player, even one as talented as the Greek Freak, can leave a team vulnerable. That was the case on Sunday, as the Hawks (23-17) were able to counter a 33-point, eight-rebound, six-assist effort from Milwaukee’s star with five double-digit scoring efforts, four of which came from the starting five. Atlanta was also on fire from the floor, as they posted respective 52.5 and 50.0 percent success rates from the field and three-point range. Their pinpoint accuracy helped them overcome a whopping 19 turnovers, as did the 16 they elicited from the visitors.
Antetokounmpo added three blocks and two steals to his aforementioned stat line. Greg Monroe led the bench with 13 points, a rebound and an assist. Malcolm Brogdon was next with 12 points, two steals and a block. Jabari Parker was only able to muster eight points but did haul in 10 rebounds and dish out nine assists. He also added a steal. Michael Beasley was productive in a reserve role as well with 11 points.
The Hawks were led by Kent Bazemore, who produced his second-best scoring total of the season with 24 points, which he supplemented with two rebounds, an assist and a pair of steals. The recently-acquired Mike Dunleavy chipped in off the bench with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists. Paul Millsap generated a full stat line of 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a pair of blocks. Dwight Howard supplied a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included two assists, a steal and a block. Thabo Sefolosha turned in 10 points, three assists, two rebounds and three steals. Malcolm Delaney continued his recent surge with nine points, nine assists, a rebound and a steal in 26 minutes off the bench.
The Bucks head back home to face off with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday afternoon, while the Hawks tangle with the Knicks in New York on Monday afternoon as well.
