Lillard scores 29 points as Bucks beat Hornets 112-102 to snap a 4-game losing streak

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Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots over Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets guard Isaiah Wong (21) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (31) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. face off after Diabate drove to basket against Portis Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, left, and guard Seth Curry laugh as they stand on the sideline during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr., right, drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun, left, drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

By STEVE REED

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Damian Lillard had 29 points and 12 assists, Bobby Portis had 23 points and 17 rebounds in his first game since Jan. 23 and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 112-102 on Wednesday night in their first game since trading longtime guard Khris Middleton.

Brook Lopez added 14 points on four 3s as the Bucks snapped a four-game losing skid.

Nick Smith Jr. had 23 points on four 3s for Charlotte, which has lost six straight.

The Bucks pushed their lead to 21 in the third quarter, repeatedly getting open looks from beyond the arc against a depleted Hornets roster.

Charlotte had no answers for Lillard, who finished 9 of 18 from the field and 8 of 9 from the foul line, while setting up teammates with open looks with penetration and kickouts.

Lillard was forced to carry the load for the Bucks, who played without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo went through pre-game warmups and was introduced before being scratched due to left calf soreness minutes before tipoff.

Takeaways

Bucks: Lopez set the tone for the Bucks making four 3s in the opening quarter, forcing Hornets center Mark Williams out of the middle of the paint and opening space for his teammates to operate. Williams was ineffective all night.

Hornets: Charlotte was without seven players due to injury, including LaMelo Ball who is still nursing an ankle injury. Ball’s primary backup Vasa Micic also sat out, leaving the Hornets particularly young and thin at the point guard spot, which made things pretty easy for Lillard.

Key moment

After the Hornets cut the lead to seven early in the fourth quarter Portis knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead to 13.

Key stat

Milwaukee finished 18 of 42 on 3s; Charlotte was 11 of 34.

Up next

Both teams are in action Friday night. The Bucks visit the Hawks, while the Hornets close a nine-game homestand against the Spurs.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba