Bucks take down Thunder
MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points and Jabari Parker added 19 as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied late and then held on down the stretch for a 98-94 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night at the Bradley Center.
Russell Westbrook scored 30 points to lead the Thunder and finished with seven rebounds and six assists. He went 9 of 28 from the floor and made just 2 of 10 3-point attempts while Oklahoma shot 46.2 percent as a team.
The Bucks connected at a 48.1 percent clip and knocked down 7 of 19 3-pointers. Malcolm Brogdon and John Henson added 12 points each, and Greg Monroe chipped in 15 off the bench for Milwaukee.
The Thunder opened the game 11 of 11 from the floor to lead by as many as 15 points in the first quarter, but the Bucks managed to hang around, though they couldn't quite close the gap. They trailed by six at the break but came out hot to start the third quarter and made it 61-60. Parker put Milwaukee ahead by making a 3-pointer with 4:28 left in the quarter.
The Bucks went into the fourth quarter up seven, but the Thunder responded, tying the score at 86 midway through the quarter on an Oladipo layup.
Henson put Milwaukee back in front on a short jumper with 3:06 left. Westbrook tied it at 94 with a 16-footer, but Henson came through again with under a minute to play, putting Milwaukee ahead for good.
The Thunder still had chances late.
Westbrook's 3-point attempt with 35 seconds left was deflected out of bounds by Oklahoma City, but Parker couldn't hold onto a pass from Brogdon on Milwaukee's ensuing possession, giving the Thunder one more chance with 14.2 seconds remaining.
After a timeout, Westbrook got another chance but lost control of the ball. Officials originally ruled it touched Henson last, but after review overturned their call and Brogdon closed the lid with two free throws.
NOTES: Thunder F Victor Oladipo reported no issues with his wrist after Oklahoma City's victory over the Clippers Saturday and was expected to make his second consecutive start. Oladipo missed nine games after suffering an injury on Dec. 13. ... Since the start of last season, the Thunder are 31-3 when G Russell Westbrook posts a triple-double, including 13-3 this season. ... Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored 20-plus points and grabbed five or more rebounds with at least five assists in six straight games. F Jabari Parker averaged 22.4 points on 54.7 percent shooting during December. The duo combined for 44.3 points per game last month, fifth best among NBA teammates. ... Milwaukee is shooting 47.4 percent from the field this season, best in the Eastern Conference and tied with San Antonio for second best in the NBA. ... The Thunder swept the Bucks last season and have won three in a row against Milwaukee overall.