Bucks blow past Hornets
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tony Snell scored 26 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 20 points and eight rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks put on a blistering offensive performance for a 118-108 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night at the Spectrum Center.
The Bucks shot 72.5 percent from the field in pulling out to a 72-50 halftime lead, and then they went on to lead by as many as 26 in the second half.
Milwaukee finished at 62.2 percent from the field on 46 of 74, and made 14 of 30 3-pointers.
The Bucks (38-36) are 12-4 in the month of March, which is the third-best record in the NBA. They bounced back from a 109-94 home loss to Chicago on Sunday and moved into the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race with the victory.
Snell was 10 of 14 from the field with four 3-pointers.
The Bucks also got 14 points and 10 assists from Malcolm Brogdon, 14 points from Khris Middleton, and 13 points from Greg Monroe.
The Hornets (33-41) had won four of their previous five but are starting to run out of time as they try to make a late surge for a playoff berth. They have eight games left in the regular season and remain 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 26 points. Frank Kaminsky scored 20, Jeremy Lamb 16 and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 12.
The Bucks led 35-24 after one quarter, hitting 14 of 20 from the field (70 percent) in the quarter. Then they shot even better in the second quarter and were 29 of 40 from the field at halftime (72.5 percent) with nine 3-pointers.
Milwaukee led 94-76 after three quarters.
NOTES: This was the second of three games between the teams in the regular season. The Hornets won at Milwaukee 107-96 on opening night, Oct. 26. The teams will meet again in Milwaukee on April 10. ... The Bucks were without C John Henson (thumb) and F Michael Beasley (knee), and F Jabari Parker (knee) is out for the rest of the season. ... The Hornets were without F Johnny O'Bryant (ankle) and G Ramon Sessions (knee). ... Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only player in the NBA to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocked shots and steals this season. Only four players in NBA history have accomplished that feat: Dave Cowens, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Scottie Pippen. ... The Hornets will play at Toronto on Wednesday. ... The Bucks will play at Boston on Wednesday.