Bucks down Hawks; Nets’ Aldridge retires
Giannis returns; LaMarcus has heart problem
LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 15 points in his return from a six-game injury absence as the Milwaukee Bucks used a balanced attack to beat the Atlanta Hawks 120-109 on Thursday in Atlanta.
Antetokounmpo finished well below his scoring average, but it didn't matter because he got plenty of help from his supporting cast as seven Bucks players finished in double figures.
Jrue Holiday scored 23 points and Brook Lopez posted a doubledouble of 19 points and 12 rebounds for Milwaukee, who were playing on the road for the ninth time in the last 10 contests.
Lopez said the Bucks have more offensive depth than in previous seasons which will come into play if they are to make a long postseason run.
"We have extra grit and toughness that we haven't had the past couple years in the playoffs," said Lopez. "We've got a lot of guys who add that extra toughness.
"All this extra stuff we are going through during the regular season is going to help us in the playoffs."
The Bucks sealed the win with a 7-0 run late in the game after the Hawks had cut a 19-point deficit to eight with a 15-4 run in the fourth.
Not only was Antetokounmpo's 15 points below his season average of 29, Milwaukee's second-leading scorer Khris Middleton had a light scoring night with just 10 points.
But the Bucks won their third straight as the Bucks bench outscored the Hawks reserves 44-16.
Pat Connaughton delivered 14 points off the bench and fellow reserves Jeff Teague and Bobby Portis scored 11 points apiece.
Hawks star Trae Young, returning from a calf injury that sidelined him for two games, finished with 15 points. Young had nine assists, but also turned the ball over a half dozen times.
Aldridge retires
Brooklyn Nets center LaMarcus Aldridge retired from basketball on Thursday after revealing the recent discovery of a heart problem.
The 35-year-old seven-time NBA All-Star said in a statement posted on Twitter he had experienced an irregular heartbeat during the Nets defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers last Saturday.
He said the problem had worsened following the game, prompting an evaluation at hospital on Sunday.
“Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night was still one of the scariest things I’ve experienced,” Aldridge wrote.
“With that being said, I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from the NBA. For 15 years, I’ve put basketball first, and now it is time to put my health and family first.”