Antetokounmpo leads Bucks over Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS -- Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points, including an open 3-pointer with 1:33 left, and Jabari Parker added 21 points to lift the Milwaukee Bucks to a 117-113 victory over the winless New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night at the Smoothie King Center.
The Bucks overcame another valiant effort by Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, who led all scorers with 35 points, including 17 of 18 from the foul line, and grabbed 15 rebounds.
The Pelicans (0-4) trailed 112-110 with 2:42 left, but Antetokounmpo hit a layup and the open 3-pointer in a 25-span to give Milwaukee (2-2) a 117-112 lead.
Buddy Hield's 20-foot jumper gave New Orleans an 88-86 lead, but Milwaukee ran off 16 of the next 21 points to regain the lead 102-93 with 6:50 left. Antetokounmpo had a rebound follow and a dunk in the run.
The Pelicans cut the deficit to 106-102 with a Davis layup and a 3-pointer by E'Twaun Moore from the right wing.
Milwaukee was cruising with a 74-62 lead in the third quarter, but New Orleans outscored the Bucks 24-10 in the final 6:31 to take an 86-84 edge into the final period.
David led the way with 14 third-quarter points and point guard Tim Frazier added seven points to go with two assists.
The Bucks extended a 53-52 lead with an 11-1 over the final three minutes of the first half to take a 63-54 halftime lead.
In the spurt, Matthew Dellavedova hit a pair of 3-pointers and Parker added five points.
The taller Bucks dominated the Pelicans in the paint in the first half 30-20.
The Pelicans entered the game shooting only 19 percent on 3-point attempts, but when they made 4 of their first 5 from long range -- two buy Solomon Hill -- they led 20-11 early. But New Orleans missed its last six 3-point attempts of the half.
Parker scored 12 first-half points for Milwaukee, and Tony Snell added 10.
Davis led the Pelicans with 15 first-half points and seven rebounds.
NOTES: Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry knows the NBA season is a marathon, but his team can't afford a second consecutive slow start. "When you're struggling and the season's first starting (it's tough), especially when we want to try to take care of business at home," Gentry said. "If you look at the three sports leagues, ours is the toughest place to win on the road, so you want to take care of business at home. The effort is there and the unselfishness is there. We've just got to execute and come up with some plays to get us over the hump." ... Gentry said F Anthony Davis is going to face a gauntlet of defenses. "Teams are probably going to double- and triple-team him, and he's done a great job so far of getting the ball to the right people," Gentry said. ... Bucks coach Jason Kidd said F Greg Monroe has adapted well to coming off the bench. "He gives us strength and depth," Kidd said.