Bucks first to notch 50 wins
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 13 rebounds, Brook Lopez scored 25 points, and the host Milwaukee Bucks beat the Charlotte Hornets 131-114 on Saturday night.
The Bucks trailed by as many as 14 in the second quarter but exploded for 39 third-quarter points to take the lead before increasing their advantage to as many as 18 in the fourth quarter.
The Bucks became the first team in the league to reach the 50-win plateau. They are now 27-5 at home. They have won two straight and nine of their past 11.
Kemba Walker scored 25 points to lead the Hornets, who remain in 10th place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Frank Kaminsky scored 16, Miles Bridges had 15, Nic Batum and Jeremy Lamb finished with 14 apiece, and Cody Zeller scored 10.
Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns collected 40 points and 16 rebounds before exiting with a right knee injury, and host Minnesota outlasted Washington.
Towns, who left in the final minute of regulation and did not play in overtime, reached the 40-point plateau for the third time in five games. The two-time All-Star fell just shy of his season high of 42 points. He will undergo further testing on his knee, but coach Ryan Saunders said he has not heard reason for serious concern.
Derrick Rose scored 16 of his 29 points after the third quarter for the Timberwolves, who have won two of three. Taj Gibson had 15 points and 13 rebounds.