Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks get back on track vs. Wolves

Field Level Media|published: Sat 24th February, 24:57 2024

Feb 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) works around Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half at Target Center. credits: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and pulled down 13 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks held on for a 112-107 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Damian Lillard recorded 21 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for Milwaukee. Brooks Lopez added 16 points for the Bucks, who snapped a two-game skid and earned their first win since Feb. 12 in their opening game since the NBA All-Star break.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28 points, but he made only 10 of 27 shots from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Rudy Gobert scored 12 points to go along with 19 boards as Minnesota had a four-game winning streak end.

Milwaukee shot 47.1 percent (41 of 87) overall and 35.1 percent (13 of 37) from beyond the arc. Minnesota hit 43.9 percent (43 of 98) from the field and 37.1 percent (13 of 35) from 3-point range.

Danilo Gallinari played five minutes in his Bucks debut. He did not score, and he grabbed one rebound and made one steal.

Mike Conley scored nine points on 4-for-8 shooting in his first game since signing a two-year contract extension with the Timberwolves. He made 1 of 2 attempts from 3-point range.

The Bucks outscored the Timberwolves 36-13 in the third quarter to seize the lead for good. They opened the second half with seven straight points on a layup by Lillard, a 3-pointer by Malik Beasley and a bucket by Antetokounmpo to transform a six-point halftime deficit into a 58-57 lead.

Minnesota regained a 68-67 edge before the Bucks went on a 12-0 run. Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Pat Connaughton each made a 3-pointer during the scoring binge, which put the Bucks on top 79-68 with 2:46 to go in the third.

Beasley scored the final basket of the period. His 3-pointer gave Milwaukee an 87-70 lead entering the final 12 minutes.

The Timberwolves outscored Milwaukee 37-25 in the fourth quarter, but that was not enough to erase the deficit.

Edwards hit a 3-pointer to pull Minnesota within 105-101 with 1:58 remaining, but Antetokounmpo scored the next three points on free throws.

Edwards hit again from long distance to cut the deficit to 110-107 with 32 seconds left. Lillard finished the scoring with a step-back jumper to seal the win for Milwaukee.

—Field Level Media

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