The score was tied at 96 when Lillard stole the ball and began a fast break. During that series, Antetokounmpo scored on the other end of the court while getting fouled. With 3:36 left, Antetokounmpo made the next free throw to finish a 3-point play.
Two times, Milwaukee grew its lead to five points, but Bridges’ 3-pointer with 2:17 left cut the Nets’ lead to 103-101.
The Nets had the ball and a chance to tie or take the lead after Antetokounmpo missed a shot. Dennis Smith Jr. drove into the lane, but Lillard stole the ball, went up court, and found Malik Beasley open for a corner 3-pointer with 1:37 left that made the score 106–101.
Lillard then scored the last five points of the game, including a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left to seal the win.
In his last three games, Lillard has scored 31 points and given out 11.3 assists per game. In all of those games, he has scored at least 30 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return helped the Milwaukee Bucks beаt the Brooklyn Nets 115-108 on Thursday night. Damian Lillard scored 30 points, dished out 12 assists, and stole the ball twice late in the game.
Because of a problem with his left leg, Antetokounmpo missed two games but still had 21 points, nine boards, and five assists. Khris Middleton got some rest the night before after playing 33 minutes in Boston’s 122-119 loss. This is part of the Bucks’ plan to limit his workload while he recovers from a sprained left ankle.
Nic Claxton had 22 points, Mikal Bridges scored 24, and Cam Thomas scored 21 for the Nets. They came back a lot in the second half but still lost their fifth straight game.
The Nets got ahead by beating the Bucks 21–6 in the first 5 and a half minutes of the last quarter. They had been behind by 20 points at the end of the second quarter and 18 points at the beginning of the third.
With 6:58 left, Cam Johnson made a 3-pointer that put the Nets ahead 87–88. It was their first lead since 11–9, going into the break. After that, Dennis Smith Jr. stole the ball and made a basket to make it 90-87 with 6:41 left.
At the six-minute mark, Antetokounmpo made a three-pointer to tie the game. From there, it went back and forth.
