The Milwaukee Bucks, led by the dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, snapped a six-game losing streak with a decisive 123-100 win over the Utah Jazz. Lillard and Antetokounmpo combined for 65 points, with Lillard adding 7 assists.
A Close First Half
The first half of the game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets. The Jazz, led by Jordan Clarkson‘s scoring outburst, briefly took a double-digit lead in the second quarter. However, the Bucks managed to close the gap and trailed by just four points at halftime.
A Dominant Since Third Quarter
The Bucks took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Jazz 31-22. Lillard and Antetokounmpo were particularly dominant during this stretch. Lillard dished out seven assists for Milwaukee, which snapped a six-game skid. Bobby Portis netted 19 points in a reserve role for the Bucks, while Jordan Clarkson paced Utah with 18 points off the bench; and Collin Sexton paired 14 points with seven assists for the Jazz, who won their previous game after dropping their first six. Johnny Juzang contributed 12 points and John Collins had 11 as the Jazz outshot 51.2 percent to 42.9 percent overall.
Lillard and Antetokounmpo combined for 22 of the Bucks’ 31 points in the third, which ended with Milwaukee holding an 88-77 lead. The Bucks were up by at least 11 for the entirety of the fourth. Their defensive intensity also increased, limiting the Jazz’s scoring opportunities.
Maintain Momentum And Win
The Bucks carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, maintaining a double-digit lead throughout the period. Their strong defensive performance and efficient offense allowed them to cruise to victory. Keyonte George went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line for Utah before Milwaukee rattled off 12 straight points to open up a commanding 87-72 advantage;. The Bucks were up by at least 11 for the entirety of the fourth.
Back-to-back triples from AJ Green later helped the Bucks build a three-point cushion, but Utah ultimately went into the break ahead 61-57. The Jazz drained 14 3-pointers over the first 24 minutes of action.
