Bucks win tussle with Lakers
LOS ANGELES --- Khris Middleton scored 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists, helping the Milwaukee Bucks defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 107-103 on Friday night at Staples Center in a game that featured a scuffle between both clubs.
Antetokounmpo made 11 of 16 shots from the floor as the Bucks (34-34) won for the eighth time in the last nine games.
Jordan Clarkson had 21 points and Ivica Zubac added 18 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers (20-49), who lost their fourth in a row. Nick Young had 16 points and D'Angelo Russell finished with 14 before both were ejected late in the third quarter along with Bucks center Greg Monroe.
Tempers flared with 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter with the Bucks leading 83-73. Bucks rookie guard Malcolm Brogdon fouled Young on a drive to the bucket. Young took exception and pushed Brogdon. Monroe, who had 12 points and six boards before being sent to the locker room, shoved Young as players from both teams became involved in the scrum.
Los Angeles outscored Milwaukee 31-23 in the third quarter to cut an 18-point deficit to 84-77 heading into the fourth quarter.
A Julius Randle free sliced the margin to 103-100 with 6.6 seconds left. Brogdon hit two foul shots with 5.7 seconds left before a 3-pointer by Clarkson sliced the gap to two points. Middleton's two free throws with 1.6 seconds left iced it.
Milwaukee led 61-46 at the half. A 13-4 run midway through the second quarter allowed the Bucks to go up by double digits. Middleton scored 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor in the first half.
NOTES: The Lakers will unveil the bronze statue of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal next Friday in Star Plaza at Staples Center. O'Neal, an analyst for the NBA on TNT, played with the Lakers from 1996 to 2004 and helped them to three straight NBA titles. He was MVP of all three championship series. ... Lakers C Tarik Black missed the game with flu-like symptoms. ... The Bucks visit the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. ... Bucks F Michael Beasley (hyperextended left knee) sat out his ninth consecutive game. ... The Lakers host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.