INSIDER
Holiday stops Celtics' last 2 plays, Bucks take 3-2 lead
Read full article: Holiday stops Celtics' last 2 plays, Bucks take 3-2 leadBobby Portis made a putback off Giannis Antetokounmpo’s missed free throw with 15 seconds left, Jrue Holiday snuffed Marcus Smart on Boston’s final two possessions and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Celtics 110-107 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 series lead.
Bucks edge Celtics 103-101 after frantic final second
Read full article: Bucks edge Celtics 103-101 after frantic final secondGiannis Antetokounmpo scored 42 points and made the go-ahead basket with 44.3 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood a frantic flurry of shots in the final seconds to beat the Boston Celtics 103-101 on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal.
Bucks forward Khris Middleton out at least 2 more games
Read full article: Bucks forward Khris Middleton out at least 2 more gamesMilwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will miss at least two more games in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Boston Celtics as he recovers from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
Supporting cast key in semifinal battle between Ja-Steph
Read full article: Supporting cast key in semifinal battle between Ja-StephGame 1 showed that whoever wins the 1-on-1 scoring battle between Memphis’ Ja Morant and Stephen Curry of the Warriors doesn’t mean their team will win the game or their Western Conference semifinal.
Confident Celtics feel ready for challenge of Giannis, Bucks
Read full article: Confident Celtics feel ready for challenge of Giannis, BucksThe only team to register a first-round sweep, the Boston Celtics enter their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks loaded with confidence.
Bucks remain mum on Middleton's status for Celtics series
Read full article: Bucks remain mum on Middleton's status for Celtics seriesMilwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer offered no new details Friday on Khris Middleton’s potential availability for the defending champions’ Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the Boston Celtics.
Bucks rout Bulls 116-100 in Game 5, advance to face Celtics
Read full article: Bucks rout Bulls 116-100 in Game 5, advance to face CelticsGiannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and nine rebounds and the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks routed the Chicago Bulls 116-100 on Wednesday night to finish off the first-round series in five games.
Allen scores 27, Bucks beat Bulls 119-95 to take 3-1 lead
Read full article: Allen scores 27, Bucks beat Bulls 119-95 to take 3-1 leadGrayson Allen set playoff career highs with 27 points and six 3-pointers, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 17 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls 119-95 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round series.
Bucks rout Bulls 111-81, take 2-1 lead without Middleton
Read full article: Bucks rout Bulls 111-81, take 2-1 lead without MiddletonGrayson Allen made five 3-pointers and scored 22 points and the Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Chicago Bulls 111-81 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series without the injured Khris Middleton.
Bucks bounce back after blowing big lead to beat Bulls 93-86
Read full article: Bucks bounce back after blowing big lead to beat Bulls 93-86Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points and 16 rebounds and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks recovered after blowing a 16-point lead to beat the Chicago Bulls 93-86 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
Antetokounmpo eager to win title a 'second time, third time'
Read full article: Antetokounmpo eager to win title a 'second time, third time'Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledges there is pressure in the NBA playoffs and after the winning the first title, “your mind wants to win a second time or a third time."
Cavs blast Bucks backups 133-115 to earn No. 8 play-in seed
Read full article: Cavs blast Bucks backups 133-115 to earn No. 8 play-in seedKevin Love made eight 3-pointers and scored 32 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers took the No. 8 play-in spot — and a matchup against Brooklyn — with a 133-115 win over Milwaukee.
Giannis pours in 50 to lead Bucks past Pacers 128-119
Read full article: Giannis pours in 50 to lead Bucks past Pacers 128-119Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points, two off his career best, and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the skidding Indiana Pacers 128-119.
Bucks' Budenholzer in health and safety protocols
Read full article: Bucks' Budenholzer in health and safety protocolsMike Budenholzer has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols and Giannis Antetokounpo is sidelined with an illness unrelated to COVID-19, leaving the Milwaukee Bucks without their coach and star player against Toronto.
Bucks' DiVincenzo savors return to action after long absence
Read full article: Bucks' DiVincenzo savors return to action after long absenceMilwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo had a Christmas return on his mind as he made his comeback from an ankle injury that kept him from joining his teammates for much of their championship run last season.
Herro scores 27 points, Heat rout Bucks 137-95 in opener
Read full article: Herro scores 27 points, Heat rout Bucks 137-95 in openerTyler Herro scored 27 points in 24 minutes off the bench, Jimmy Butler added 21 and the Miami Heat opened their season with an easy 137-95 victory over the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
Shake Milton saves Sixers as Philly evens series with Hawks
Read full article: Shake Milton saves Sixers as Philly evens series with HawksJoel Embiid had 40 points and 13 rebounds and Shake Milton buried a 32-footer and scored 14 points in an electrifying stretch off the bench to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the Atlanta Hawks 118-102.
Rockets lose team-record 20th straight game, fall to Thunder
Read full article: Rockets lose team-record 20th straight game, fall to Thunder(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)HOUSTON – Mired in a long losing streak, the Houston Rockets twice put the ball in John Wall's hands in the waning moments. The Rockets lost their team-record 20th straight game, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 114-112 Sunday when Wall missed two shots in the final 10 seconds. This one hurts.”Dort scored 23 points and Isaiah Roby had 18 for the Thunder, who led by as many as 13 points. They shot a sizzling 14 of 21 on 3s in the second quarter, however, and Oklahoma City led 66-62 at halftime. The Rockets hit a franchise-record 28 3s in a win against the Thunder on Feb. 1, just three days before their last win.
Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry announces Senate run
Read full article: Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry announces Senate runFILE - In this Oct. 24, 2020 file photo, Milwaukee Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry, left, and then-Bucks guard George Hill walk through a Milwaukee neighborhood during a voter canvassing effort. Democrat Alex Lasry, a Bucks executive and son of a billionaire, announced Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, that he's running for the U.S. Senate in 2022 for the seat currently held by Republican Ron Johnson. (AP Photo/Steve Megargee File)MADISON, Wis. – Democrat Alex Lasry, a 33-year-old Milwaukee Bucks executive and son of a billionaire, announced Wednesday that he's running for the U.S. Senate in 2022 for the seat held by Republican Ron Johnson. Lasry launched his campaign with a YouTube video that included endorsements from several prominent Milwaukee politicians, including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson. ___This story has been corrected by removing a reference to Alex Lasry being a hedge fund manager.
33-year-old Bucks exec Alex Lasry gets COVID vaccine early
Read full article: 33-year-old Bucks exec Alex Lasry gets COVID vaccine earlyFILE - In this Oct. 24, 2020 file photo, Milwaukee Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry, left, and Bucks guard George Hill walk through a Milwaukee neighborhood during a voter canvassing effort. Lasry received the COVID-19 vaccine this week at a senior living center in Milwaukee. Alex Lasry told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in a story published Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, that he "just got lucky" and didn't receive any favoritism. As for Lasry, Evers said he’s not sure what happened. That’s how this can happen, even with excellent planning.”All vaccine providers have signed an agreement to provide doses according to the state’s priority phases, Van Dijk said.
Clippers beat Thunder 108-101, tie for NBA's best record
Read full article: Clippers beat Thunder 108-101, tie for NBA's best recordOklahoma City Thunder guard Theo Maledon (11) defends against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat Oklahoma City 108-101 on Sunday for their seventh consecutive victory and second straight over the Thunder. Serge Ibaka added 17 points. At 13-4, the Clippers are tied with the Lakers for the best record in the NBA. Oklahoma City has lost three in a row and five of six.
Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Donovan, Bulls in OT
Read full article: Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Donovan, Bulls in OTOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots between Chicago Bulls guard Garrett Temple (17) and forward Lauri Markkanen during overtime of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)OKLAHOMA CITY – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a career-high 33 points and 10 assists to help Oklahoma City beat the Chicago Bulls and former Thunder coach Billy Donovan 127-125 in overtime Friday night. Donovan knew all too well how good Oklahoma City can be under challenging circumstances. ... Oklahoma City scored 19 points off Chicago's nine turnovers in the third quarter. ... Oklahoma City shot 56% in the third quarter and outscored the Bulls 37-27.
Thunder dominate second half and beat Magic 108-99
Read full article: Thunder dominate second half and beat Magic 108-99ORLANDO, Fla. – Darius Bazley had a season-high 19 points, George Hill scored 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the second half of a 108-99 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday. The Magic were routed 116-92 by Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve and lost on Saturday after making just 37% of their shots. That allowed the Thunder to outscore the Magic 24-17 over the final 12 minutes to break open a close game. Horford drilled a straight-on 3-pointer with 50 seconds to play, sending the Thunder on their way to the second road victory of the season. Magic: Orlando entered Saturday last in the league in 3-point attempts (26.8) and makes (8.8) per game.
Vucevic has double-double as Magic beat Thunder 118-107
Read full article: Vucevic has double-double as Magic beat Thunder 118-107Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (7) react to a call during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)OKLAHOMA CITY – Nikola Vucevic had a season-high 28 points and 10 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-107 Tuesday night. Oklahoma City made only 4 of 13 free throws in the fourth, thwarting the Thunder’s hopes to rally. The Magic again pushed its lead out, this time to 53-43, but Oklahoma City pulled within 60-56 by halftime. The Thunder briefly pulled even at 80-80 on a 3-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander but Orlando led 87-85 entering the fourth quarter.
Antetokounmpo won't say whether he will sign supermax offer
Read full article: Antetokounmpo won't say whether he will sign supermax offerMILWAUKEE – Giannis Antetokounmpo praised the “amazing” moves the Milwaukee Bucks have made to improve the team, but the two-time reigning MVP stopped short Wednesday of saying he would sign a supermax contract extension offer. “Right now I’m not focusing on that,” Antetokounmpo said during his first preseason discussion with reporters. He has until Dec. 21 to sign the extension, or else he will be eligible to become a free agent after the 2020-21 season. The Bucks say the uncertainty surrounding Antetokounmpo's future hasn't impacted the team's focus as it gets ready for the season. When Antetokounmpo celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday, each of the Bucks gave him a pen as a gift.
AP Source: Bucks getting Holiday to play with Antetokounmpo
Read full article: AP Source: Bucks getting Holiday to play with AntetokounmpoThe Pelicans are getting Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and a package of future first-round draft picks from the Bucks, the person told The Associated Press. The Pelicans are getting Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and a package of future first-round draft picks from the Bucks, the person told The Associated Press. The trade of Holiday was the second blockbuster involving a point guard since the league allowed transactions to begin again Monday. Holiday is due to earn $25.4 million this season and holds a $26.3 million player option for next season. And it’s now almost certain that the Bucks will have to fill out their roster for this season with several minimum-salary players, since they’ll owe about $86 million to just Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Holiday this season.
No Giannis, no problem: Bucks top Heat in OT, force Game 5
Read full article: No Giannis, no problem: Bucks top Heat in OT, force Game 5Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing most of the game with a sprained right ankle, the Bucks extended their season to a Game 5 on Tuesday. The Heat gave up 12 straight points in the final period Sunday, wasting what was an eight-point lead in a closeout game. Antetokounmpo scored 19 points for the Bucks in only 11 minutes, while Brook Lopez and George Hill each had 14 for Milwaukee. TIP-INSBucks: Milwaukee missed 19 consecutive 3-pointers its last 12 of Game 3 and first seven of Game 4 before Antetokounmpo connected late in the first quarter. Heat: Miami was looking to become the first No.
Heat use big 4th quarter to take 3-0 series lead over Bucks
Read full article: Heat use big 4th quarter to take 3-0 series lead over BucksThe Heat outscored Milwaukee 40-13 in the fourth quarter the biggest such final-quarter margin in NBA playoff history to take a 3-0 series lead. Adebayo had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Jae Crowder had 17 points to help the Heat improve to 7-0 in this postseason. Butler had 17 of his points in the fourth, and the Heat pulled off their biggest fourth-quarter playoff comeback ever. Butler had the next nine Miami points as the Heat went back on top, and he set Adebayo up for a short basket with 4:20 remaining to restore a 100-99 lead. ...GIANNIS 1KA dunk in the fourth quarter gave Antetokounmpo 19 points on the night and 1,000 in his 42-game playoff career.
Butler makes FTs with no time left, lifts Heat past Bucks
Read full article: Butler makes FTs with no time left, lifts Heat past BucksThis was just a free throw, no time on the clock, nobody else from the Miami Heat or Milwaukee Bucks standing along the lane. That got Milwaukee within two, and Butler made one free throw with 7.7 seconds left to get the lead back to three. Bam Adebayo scored 15 points, Butler and Duncan Robinson each had 13 and Kelly Olynyk added 11 for Miami which is 6-0 in this postseason. Middleton scored 23 points for Milwaukee, which got 16 apiece from Lopez and Eric Bledsoe and 14 from George Hill. FOULING ON 3SThe Heat fouled the Bucks five times on 3-point tries in the game, including twice against Lopez in a 26-second span of the first quarter.
Bucks resume NBA playoffs after sparking historic stoppage
Read full article: Bucks resume NBA playoffs after sparking historic stoppageThe rescheduled Game 5 of the Bucks' series against Orlando began Saturday as the NBA postseason resumed after a historic stoppage that players hope will bring change in their communities. It was a moment in which the world needed and obviously we know this is going to be a long, ongoing process, Bucks guard Wesley Matthews said. Matthews said he was putting on his uniform shorts about 20 minutes before the game was set to begin Wednesday when the Bucks decided they wouldn't play. The Magic refused to accept the forfeit and NBA players stood behind the Bucks, even though some were frustrated the Bucks acted alone without consulting them. Matthews apologized for that but said the aftermath has confirmed for the Bucks that they made the right decision.
Bucks beat Magic 118-104, take series in 5 games
Read full article: Bucks beat Magic 118-104, take series in 5 gamesWilliams scored all 12 of his points on 3-pointers, and Brook Lopez added 16 points for Milwaukee, which won four straight after dropping the opener. Nicola Vucevic had 22 points and 15 rebounds for Orlando, while Evan Fournier added 18 points. Middleton followed with a fade from the top of the key, Williams added another 3 and Middleton's free throw pushed the Bucks' lead back to 105-93 with 5:24 left. Orlando stayed close into the second quarter and was within six points when Marvin Williams 3 began a 23-12 Bucks run to end the half. Bucks: Outscored Orlando in the paint, 42-32 and finished with 16 3s on 45 attempts.
Frustrated NBA players wonder again whether they should play
Read full article: Frustrated NBA players wonder again whether they should playBut its not working, so obviously something has to be done and right now our focus really shouldnt be on basketball, Celtics guard Marcus Smart said. Players are trying to figure out not only how to revive them, but keep them going long after they leave the bubble. James has focused on the need to vote, not only in November but long after, no matter who wins the presidential election. He said being in the bubble gives a feeling of helplessness, because he isn't able to do that again. Things have kind of diminished.
Doncic gets 17th triple-double, Mavs top Bucks 136-132 in OT
Read full article: Doncic gets 17th triple-double, Mavs top Bucks 136-132 in OTBrook Lopez scored a season-high 34 points for the Bucks, who have already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Doncic's final assist was a between-the-legs pass to Maxi Kleber for a three-point play and a 133-128 lead. The foul that sent Doncic to the line was originally called as the sixth on Antetokounmpo. Middleton's three-point play with 1.9 seconds left in the half put Milwaukee up 71-62. Mavericks: Play Utah on Monday.