NBA: Bucks cruise to 105-96 win over Hornets
Published 9:08 pm Saturday, December 3, 2022
Associated Press file photo — Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out the sport with a sore knee however the Bucks beat the Hornets anyway.
CHARLOTTE (AP) — Bobby Portis scored 20 points and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Charlotte Hornets 105-96 on Saturday night, despite missing star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, sat out with left knee soreness, one night after scoring 40 points in a house loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jordan Nwora added 17 points and Brook Lopez and Jevon Carter each scored 14 for the Bucks.
Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 26 points. Jalen McDaniels scored 21 and Kelly Oubre Jr. 20 for Charlotte, which had its three-game home winning streak halted. Mason Plumlee finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
McDaniels scored Charlotte’s first eight points within the second half, pulling the Hornets inside 56-53. Milwaukee prolonged its result in double digits (77-66) on a basket by Lopez within the third. McDaniels made a layup that cut the result in 95-89 with 3:18 left, but Charlotte couldn’t catch up with.
BUCKS INJURIES
Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer has seen minutes pile up for Antetokounmpo and Jru Holiday, and the dings that include that point. Each sat against Charlotte.
“With the short turnaround and with the back-to-back, slightly little bit of an early game, and just taking into consideration the large picture,” Budenholzer said. “They’re probably not completely happy with me, but I believe, hopefully, they know we’re at all times attempting to think in regards to the big picture and check out to maintain them as healthy and form of durable for the whole lot of the season.”
WATCHING OUT FOR PORTIS
The flexibility forward Bobby Portis delivered to Milwaukee’s short-handed lineup wasn’t lost on Hornets coach Steve Clifford.
“They’re playing him on the 4, where he’s also an issue on the glass, he still goes within the post, and he can guard all those guys,” Clifford said. “He’s tough enough and physical enough to protect most five men, but he can even guard out on the perimeter. So, lots of their schemes and stuff, he gives them good versatility on the defensive end.”
NOTES
Bucks: Jrue Holiday (left knee) missed the sport. … Brook Lopez hit a 3-pointer on the first-quarter buzzer to present Milwaukee a 30-24 lead.
Hornets: Guard LaMelo Ball joined the team for pregame warmups, but missed his seventh consecutive game with a left ankle sprain. He has missed 20 games this season. … Charlotte had won its last three home games through which Rozier scored 20 or more points. He finished with 24 within the loss.
UP NEXT
Bucks: At Orlando on Monday night.
Hornets: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
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