NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 26, Bucks overpower Hornets
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks makes a hand gesture as he walks down court during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Fiserv Forum on February 28, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. John Fisher/Getty Images/AFP
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his fifth consecutive double-double as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 130-106 on Monday night to snap a two-game losing streak.
The two-time MVP poured in 26 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and four blocks on a 14-of-14 performance from the free throw line to even the four-game season series with Charlotte. Jrue Holiday contributed 21 points, and Bobby Portis finished with 20 to go along with 10 rebounds.
It was a dominant performance on the glass for the Bucks, who outrebounded the Hornets 62-41.
LaMelo Ball paced Charlotte with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Terry Rozier scored 17 while collecting eight assists, and Kelly Oubre Jr. notched 17 points off the bench.
The Hornets shot 38.7 percent from the field (36 of 93) and 35.9 percent (14 of 39) from 3-point range.
Milwaukee pulled away in the second quarter, opening the frame on a 14-3 run. The Bucks outscored the Hornets 44-21 in the quarter to go into halftime with a 23-point lead.
All starters score in double figures as the Bucks win big over the Hornets. pic.twitter.com/BmO4ui8JJF
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 1, 2022
All five of Milwaukee’s starters scored in double figures in the first half, with Antetokounmpo and Holiday leading the way with 15 points. The Bucks also took advantage at the free throw line, going 15-of-15 from the charity stripe.
Although Charlotte faced a significant deficit, Ball was impressive and led all scorers with 18 points. Rozier added 12 and Miles Bridges had eight, but no other Hornets player had more than five points. Charlotte shot just 38 percent from the field in the first half.
The Bucks’ lead grew to 32 points by the end of the third quarter. The Hornets could only bring things within 23 in the fourth, suffering their 11th loss in the past 13 games.
Ball was dominant in the first quarter, scoring 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. He also hit three of Charlotte’s six 3-pointers.
