MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks have lost 28 games since the start of last season. Only once did they follow one defeat with another.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points and 19 rebounds, and the Bucks rebounded yet again by beating the Phoenix Suns 129-108 Sunday — two days after a loss to Denver.
"A good response," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Not our best, but a steady, good response.”
Antetokounmpo reached the 30-point mark for the 26th time, and fellow All-Star Khris Middleton had 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Brook Lopez added 17 points, and the Bucks shot 49.5% and made 15 of 38 from 3-point range.
Devin Booker scored 32 points and spurred a third-quarter surge by Phoenix, and the deficit dropped to nine when former Arizona Wildcat DeAndre Ayton dropped a hook shot with 3:51 left in the quarter. Milwaukee responded with three straight 3-pointers — including back-to-back from Dante DiVincenzo — to snuff out the rally.
"It was a game until they hit those three 3s in a row," Phoenix coach Monty Williams said. "I'm proud of the way the guys competed."
Ayton had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and the Suns shot 39% and made just 6 of 23 from deep.
Phoenix Suns' Jevon Carter, left, reaches for the ball against Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton, center, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
TIP-INS
Suns: G Ricky Rubio (right ankle), G Ty Jerome (left calf) and PF Dario Saric (ankle) sat out, leaving coach Monty Williams with just 11 players. ... SF Elie Okobo made his third start of the season in place of Rubio, and PF Tariq Owens, PG Jalen Lecque and PG Jared Harper were recalled from Northern Arizona of the G-League. Frank Kaminsky and Aron Baynes also sat out. Baynes was active but remained on the sideline with a hip injury.
Bucks: PG Dante DiVincenzo scored 15 points after missing Milwaukee's game Friday against Denver with a sprained left ankle. ... The Bucks are still without George Hill, who also missed Friday's game with a strained right hamstring. ... The Bucks' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now 8. ... Milwaukee scored at least 100 points for a 73rd consecutive game.
SIZE MATTERS
Lopez took advantage of the undermanned and undersized Suns by blocking a career-high nine shots — one off the Bucks' franchise record.
"It was a team effort," Lopez said. "Phoenix got some easy (shots) in the beginning of the game. We came out a little loose (defensively) but we definitely tightened up and it shows."
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Barely 24 hours after scoring six points for G-League Northern Arizona, Tariq Owens found himself up against Antetokounmpo, the reigning MVP, who barreled past him for an easy transition basket.
“I was just trying to get a stop,” Owens said. "He's one of those players I like watch film on so to be in the game and Giannis is the first person I have to guard is kind of a dream come true."
Owens scored 2 points on 1-of-4 shooting and grabbed two offensive rebounds in his first seven minutes.
GOOD IMPRESSION
Booker told Owens and Jaylen Lecque, a 19-year-old who was making a name for himself with highlight-reel dunks in the G-League, to relax and trust their teammates as they got their first taste of NBA action.
"Just play hard. Leave a mark, don't be hesitant," Booker said. "We''ll take care of you guys out there, just come ready to play.
"Getting called up from the G-League and playing Milwaukee is a tough task but they showed a lot heart."
UP NEXT
Suns: A three-game road trip continues Monday night in Brooklyn. The Nets will be without injured star Kyrie Irving.
Bucks: After getting a day off Monday, the Bucks play Tuesday night against rookie Zion Williamson and the Pelicans in New Orleans.
