Strong start to second half ignites blowout
Bucks forward Jabari Parker drives against Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic in the second quarter of Milwaukee’s 111-93 win Thursday at the Barclays Center.
New York — Giannis Antetokounmpo did not get a triple-double on Thursday night at the Barclays Center. But the reason was the best one possible. Milwaukee’s reserves played well enough in the fourth quarter that the Greek Freak could sit back and enjoy the rest of the game as the Bucks rolled to a 111-93 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Antetokounmpo finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while playing just 30 minutes as the Bucks (9-8) won their third straight and continued to show they are coming together as a unit. Jabari Parker added 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting.
Tony Snell and Malcolm Brogdon each had 13 points while playing big roles in the third quarter, when the Bucks erupted for 38 points to take control of the game. Milwaukee led, 90-78, entering the fourth quarter.
“We got the ball moving,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said of the decisive stretch. “But it all starts with our defense. We got stops and we got it in the open court.
“Giannis made some great plays offensively in finding the shooters. We were putting pressure on their defense with our transition offense and guys knocking open threes down.”
Antetokounmpo faced a throng of re-