Bucks rally in 4th quarter to beat Nets, clinch playoff spot
Milwaukee’s lateseason schedule has given the Bucks plenty of opportunities to measure themselves against the two teams they’re chasing in the Eastern Conference standings.
The results have been encouraging.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points and the Bucks used a fourthquarter rally to beat the visiting Nets for the second time in three days, winning 124118 on Tuesday night. This minisweep comes less than two weeks after the Bucks won two straight games against Eastleading Philadelphia.
“I’m happy we were able to put on a show for our fans and able to build good habits in those games, but that’s all,” said Antetokounmpo, who also had 12 rebounds. “They don’t mean nothing. Nobody’s going to remember these games when we’re in the playoffs.”
Brooklyn (4323) lost its third straight to fall 1½ games behind Philadelphia (4421). Milwaukee (4124) clinched a fifth straight playoff appearance, but is third in the East, three behind Philadelphia and 1½ behind Brooklyn.
The Bucks are chasing their first NBA title since 1971. They posted the NBA’s best regularseason record in 201819 and 201920, but lost in the Eastern Conference finals two seasons ago and in the second round last year.
Suns 134, Cavaliers 118: Devin Booker scored 31 points and visiting Phoenix stayed in step with Utah atop the Western Conference by outlasting undermanned Cleveland in overtime for its fifth straight win. The Suns outscored the Cavaliers 204 in the extra five minutes.
Mavericks 127, Heat 113: Tim Hardaway Jr. made 10 3pointers and scored 36 points to help visiting Dallas move up to the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference by topping shorthanded Miami. The win clinched no worse than a playin tournament berth for Dallas, which would have fallen to No. 7 in the West with a loss.
Hornets 102, Pistons 99:
LaMelo Ball scored 23 points as Charlotte took another step toward the postseason with a win in Detroit. The Hornets are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and are in solid shape to make it at least to the playin round.
Kings 103, Thunder 99: Buddy Hield had 18 points and 11 rebounds to help visiting Sacramento beat Oklahoma City for its third straight win. It was the seventh doubledouble of Hield’s fiveyear career. He made just 5 of 16 shots, but he fell one rebound short of his career high.
Clippers 105, Raptors 100: Paul George and Marcus Morris scored 22 points each, and Los Angeles rallied for a home win over Toronto to snap a threegame skid.
Varejao returns: Anderson Varejao is back with the Cavaliers, signing a 10day contract Tuesday to begin a stint to celebrate his 12year run with the team. The 38yearold center hasn’t played in the NBA since 2017 with the Warriors.