Ball’s career-high 50 points not enough as Antetokounmpo, Lillard lead Bucks past Hornets 125-119
Ball’s career-high 50 points not enough as Antetokounmpo, Lillard lead Bucks past Hornets 125-119
Charlotte Hornets’ Moussa Diabate fouls Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis reacts in front of Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ Grant Williams and Milwaukee Bucks’ AJ Green go after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks’ Andre Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ Brandon Miller dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ Moussa Diabate fouls Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ Moussa Diabate fouls Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis reacts in front of Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis reacts in front of Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ Grant Williams and Milwaukee Bucks’ AJ Green go after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ Grant Williams and Milwaukee Bucks’ AJ Green go after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks’ Andre Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks’ Andre Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ Brandon Miller dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Charlotte Hornets’ Brandon Miller dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 11 rebounds and Damian Lillard added 31 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the Charlotte Hornets 125-119 on Saturday night for their fourth consecutive victory.
Milwaukee opened the fourth quarter with a 14-5 spurt for a 110-90 lead, but the Hornets got it to 121-119 on Brandon Miller’s 3-pointer with 15 seconds left.
Taurean Prince answered with a pair of free throws for the Bucks to make it a two-possession game, and Charlotte missed a pair of 3-pointers on the ensuing possession. Antetokounmpo hit two free throws with 4.5 seconds left to make it 125-119.
LaMelo Ball had a career-high 50 points for the Hornets, and Brandon Miller added 32. Ball hit 17 of 38 shots, including 6 of 17 beyond the arc, and 10 of 13 free throws.
Milwaukee, which completed a 4-0 homestand, has won six of its last seven. The only loss in that span was a 115-114 loss to the Hornets on Nov. 16 following a controversial foul call.
Charlotte’s Grant Williams went to the locker room late in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury and did not return.
Takeaways
Hornets: Charlotte has lost five of its last seven.
Bucks: Lillard, who did not play in the Bucks’ last game against Charlotte, hit 9 of 21 shots, including 10 of 11 free throws.
Key moment
Milwaukee hit four consecutive 3-pointers for a 12-3 run and a 96-83 lead late in the third quarter.
Key stat
The Bucks were 18 of 37 from beyond the arc, matching their season high in 3-pointers made.
Up next
The Hornets host the Orlando Magic on Monday, and the Bucks are at the Miami Heat in NBA Group Play on Tuesday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA