Bucks win Bud’s return to Atlanta

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points, Eric Bledsoe added 24 points and 10 assists, and the Bucks beat the Hawks, 133-114, on Sunday in Mike Budenholzer’s return to Atlanta.

Khris Middleton finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds to help the Bucks improve to 30-12, second-best in the NBA. Coming off a loss at Washington that Antetokounmpo missed with injuries, Milwaukee is 12-0 following a defeat and remained the league’s only team not to drop consecutive games.

Budenholzer, making his first appearance at State Farm Arena since leaving the Hawks after last season, said before the game that he wished his former team well as it rebuilds with youngsters John Collins, Trae Young, Kevin Huerter and Omari Spellman.

Milwaukee has won 12 of 15 dating to Dec. 14. The Bucks began the day outscoring opponents by an NBA-leading 9.1 points per game.

F Kyle Anderson likely will miss at least two to four weeks after suffering a Grade 2 sprained left ankle during the Grizzlies’ 112-108 loss to the Heat on Saturday. AP