NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double lifts Bucks past Wizards
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is fouled by Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 5, 2023 in Washington, DC. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 23 points and a season-best 13 assists to go with 10 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 117-111 victory over the host Washington Wizards on Sunday night.
Jevon Carter added 20 points off the bench as the Bucks were victorious one night after seeing their 16-game winning streak snapped.
Jrue Holiday had 19 points and seven assists, Brook Lopez scored 15 points, Joe Ingles added 14 and Grayson Allen tallied 11.
Bradley Beal had 33 points and nine rebounds and Kristaps Porzingis recorded 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Wizards. Deni Avdija scored 17 points, Corey Kispert added 11 and Delon Wright had 10 as Washington lost for the fourth time in six games.
With the Bucks running out the clock, Antetokounmpo crept up toward the basket and quickly missed a shot off the lower part of the backboard with under two seconds left and grabbed the rebound for his fourth triple-double of the season and 33rd of his career.
Khris Middleton (knee) and Wesley Matthews (hamstring) sat out for the Bucks, while Kyle Kuzma (knee) and Monte Morris (back) missed the game for Washington.
"This team, we're 10 deep." pic.twitter.com/EDyEu0ODv0
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 6, 2023
The Bucks shot 46.4 percent from the field, including 22 of 49 from 3-point range.
Washington made 42.6 percent of its shots and was 8 of 31 from behind the arc.
Beal’s three-point play pulled the Wizards within 101-100 with 5:03 remaining.
Ingles made a corner 3-pointer to give Milwaukee a 108-104 lead with 2:37 left. Beal’s basket brought Washington within two before Allen drained a trey to give the Bucks a 111-106 edge with 1:24 remaining.
Holiday scored a basket 14 seconds later and added two free throws to make it a nine-point margin as Milwaukee closed it out.
Carter scored 14 second-quarter points as Milwaukee led 59-48 at the break. Porzingis scored 18 in the first quarter for Washington.
The Bucks led by as many as 17 late in the second quarter but the Wizards charged back in the third.
Washington crept within 63-61 on Daniel Gafford’s basket with 7:36 left in the quarter. The margin was again two after Avdija’s three-point play with 6:12 left before Bobby Portis scored five straight points to give the Bucks a 75-68 advantage.
The Wizards trailed 83-80 entering the final stanza but baskets by Beal, Avdija and Gafford gave Washington its first lead since the opening moments.
