In a dominant performance on Monday night, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Utah Jazz 125-110, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the charge with 70 points combined. The victory improved Milwaukee’s record to 26-18, as they secured their ninth win in the last 11 games.
Antetokounmpo delivered an all-around stellar performance, scoring 35 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists. Lillard, who also contributed 35 points, added eight assists to the Bucks’ effort. Khris Middleton was crucial off the bench, scoring 22 points in just 27 minutes of play.
Milwaukee’s shooting efficiency was a key factor in the game, as they shot an impressive 61% from the field, finishing with 33 assists on 52 baskets. The Bucks’ offensive execution helped them build a lead that the Jazz could not recover from.
Utah, who fell to 10-34 with the loss, saw Lauri Markkanen lead their efforts with 19 points and nine rebounds. Collin Sexton also scored 19 points, while Brice Sensabaugh contributed 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Despite the strong individual efforts, the Jazz struggled to contain the Bucks’ high-powered offense throughout the game.
The first quarter saw Milwaukee establish an early lead, as Antetokounmpo and Middleton combined for five baskets in a six-possession stretch, helping the Bucks go up 35-26. Lillard then took control in the second quarter, assisting on four straight baskets before adding two consecutive layups to extend the Bucks’ lead to 51-38.
The Jazz made several attempts to close the gap, even trimming Milwaukee’s lead to just three points on two occasions. However, the Bucks pulled away for good after halftime. A quick 20-3 run, sparked by back-to-back baskets from Antetokounmpo and Lillard, gave Milwaukee a commanding 93-69 advantage late in the third quarter.
The Bucks’ offense continued to shine, as the trio of Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Middleton combined to score 92 points and shoot over 60% from the field. Middleton was especially efficient, going 10-of-13 from the field and finishing with a remarkable 77% shooting percentage.
For Utah, the return of Jordan Clarkson, who had missed the previous 10 games due to left plantar fasciitis, was a bright spot. Clarkson finished with 13 points and five assists, including four 3-pointers. However, the Jazz struggled with their shooting, finishing the game with a 41% field goal percentage and just 33.3% from beyond the arc.
The Bucks’ balanced offense, combined with their defensive efforts, ultimately overwhelmed the Jazz. Milwaukee’s 125 points and 61% shooting were too much for Utah to handle, despite their individual efforts.
