Hornets Defeat Bucks, Giannis

The Charlotte Hornets beat the NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks 114-106 on Saturday night, overcoming 43 points scored by Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks built a small lead in the early going of the first quarter. Giannis repeatedly ran into Hornets defenders and got Mason Plumlee and PJ Washington in foul trouble. Even with that happening, Khris Middleton was able to find his own rhythm, while Miles Bridges kept the Hornets in the game.

Kelly Oubre Jr.’s hot shooting did not carry over from Wednesday night, missing both of his three-point attempts. The Bucks could not find the basket in the late stages of the opening quarter and the Hornets pulled within two, 29-27 going into the second quarter.

Charlotte was able to build on their run at the start of the second quarter. Oubre got his first three-pointer to fall, to cap off a 19-2 Hornets run before Middleton stopped the bleeding. Some Bridges bully ball in the paint along with a LaMelo Ball three, caused Milwaukee to call a time out, with the Hornets leading by eight, their largest lead of the game at that point.

The Hornets played some of their best lock-down defense of the season, allowing the Bucks to score only 12 points in the quarter. Charlotte needed that defensive effort because they were struggling on the offensive end themselves. At the half, the Hornets led by six, 47-41.

Terry Rozier got the Hornets off to a hot start in the third. He converted a few jump shots as the Hornets lead grew to double figures. He continued to be aggressive throughout the quarter and carried the Hornets offense in what turned out to be an offensive explosion for both teams. The Hornets had a 14 point lead, 89-75 going into the final stanza.

Both teams started the fourth quarter in a zone defense, which led to some less than stellar offensive possessions. The Hornets found some success with Ball penetrating the defense, finding open teammates or finishing at the rim, while the Bucks featured Giannis as he bullied whoever was matched up against him.

Ball found himself in extreme foul trouble with about six minutes left in the game, with the Hornets still holding a double digit lead. Bridges scored in the paint, then Washington hit a three, putting the Hornets up by 15 with just over five minutes to go. Washington committed his sixth foul a short time later.

The pressure to finish the game seemed to effect the Hornets. Their offense went cold and could not stop the ‘Greek Freak’ without getting called for fouls. With two minutes left in the game, the Bucks trimmed the lead to six. Ball ended the drought with a driving layup, but Milwaukee answered quickly with a Giannis put back that resulted in an elbow to Plumlee, cutting him above his eye. A contested Middleton jumper put the Bucks within four, with less than a minute to go.

The Hornets used the entire 24 second shot clock on their next possession. They were able to find a wide open Rozier, who hit a triple off a slip screen and pop play with Ball. “I just know that the whole gym was staring at ‘Melo, so I just tried to create some confusion for the defense. I just slipped out and I was wide open,” Rozier said of his 3-pointer. The Hornets went on to win 114-106.

“That is a big win right there for us,” said Hornets coach James Borrego. “Terry is a hired gun,” Borrego said. “He’s an elite catch-and-shoot guy.”

Rozier had a team high 28 points, with four rebounds and four assists for the Hornets. Bridges had 21 points and eight rebounds. Ball contributed 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Antetokounmpo had a game high 43 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks. Giannis finished with 18 of 20 from the charity stripe. Middleton added 27 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Bobby Portis had a double-double, with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

The Hornets will try to build off this game as they host the Bucks in a rematch on Monday.