Brogdon sparks Bucks past Suns
MILWAUKEE -- With the Milwaukee Bucks in need of a spark, Malcolm Brogdon was there to provide one.
Brogdon came off the bench to score all 15 of his points and dish out five of his seven assists in the second half to lift Milwaukee to a 100-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday afternoon.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points with eight rebounds and six assists for the Bucks, which won for the fourth time in their last five games. Michael Beasley scored 17 points and Greg Monroe added 14 points.
The Suns led for the majority of the third quarter, but Milwaukee go rolling once Brogdon checked into the game. With the Bucks down 68-59, Brogdon scored six points on a 12-0 run that put Milwaukee in front at 71-68 with 1:38 left in the third quarter.
Milwaukee wouldn't relinquish its lead the rest of the way, but Phoenix made it interesting. The Bucks led 97-90 before Marquese Chriss scored six quick points to pull the Suns to within 97-96.
Chriss was then fouled with 30.0 seconds left but missed both free throws, keeping Milwaukee in front. After a timeout, Brogdon hit Tony Snell, who drilled a corner 3-pointer to put the Bucks up 100-96 with 8.3 seconds left.
The Bucks opened the second quarter on a 15-4 run to take a 36-27 lead on a jumper by Michael Beasley with 7:37 left in the first half.
Phoenix answered by closing the second quarter on a 20-6 spurt that gave the Suns a 47-42 advantage at the break.
T.J. Warren led Phoenix with 23 points, while Alan Williams scored a career-high 17 points off the bench.
NOTES: Milwaukee G Khris Middleton made his first start of the season Sunday after coming off the bench in his first five games back since missing the first 50 games with a torn left hamstring ... Five technical fouls were handed out in the first half. Phoenix F Marquese Chriss and Milwaukee F Giannis Antetokounmpo got into a small scuffle after a foul underneath the Bucks basket. Chriss hovered over Antekounmpo, who then shoved the Suns rookie. Antetokounmpo was assessed a technical foul. Bucks coach Jason Kidd and Suns G Eric Bledsoe received double technical fouls in the second quarter and Suns G Devin Booker and Middleton were hit with technical after exchanging words following a foul by Booker. ... After setting a career high with 16 points against Chicago on Friday, Suns F Alan Williams set a new mark with 17 points Sunday. ... Signed to a 10-day contract Saturday, Bucks F Axel Toupane was inactive.