Milwaukee Bucks continued a recent stretch of improved play Sunday night, riding a dominant performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo to a 115-98 win over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
Antetokounmpo finished with 37 points and 11 rebounds in just 31 minutes, leading Milwaukee to its fifth victory in the past seven games.
The two-time MVP was highly efficient, shooting 13-of-17 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free-throw line as the Bucks improved to 16-20.
Milwaukee established control early and never allowed Sacramento to sustain momentum for long stretches.
Kevin Porter Jr. provided a strong secondary scoring punch with 25 points and 10 assists, giving the Bucks consistent ball pressure and playmaking.
Myles Turner added 15 points and anchored the interior defensively as Milwaukee held Sacramento to 43 percent shooting.
The Kings dropped to 8-28 and extended their losing streak to five games, continuing a difficult season marked by inconsistency on both ends.
Russell Westbrook scored 21 points to lead Sacramento, while Zach LaVine added 20 in his return from a left ankle sprain.
LaVine came off the bench after missing nine games, but Sacramento struggled to find rhythm as a unit.
Milwaukee pushed its advantage late in the second quarter behind Antetokounmpo’s interior scoring and free throws, building a 62-42 lead.
Antetokounmpo had 15 points at halftime, making six of seven shots from the floor while the Kings’ offense stalled.
Sacramento shot 54.5 percent in the first quarter but fell to 26.1 percent in the second, scoring just 18 points during the period.
The Kings briefly threatened in the third quarter, using a 29-8 run to cut a 24-point deficit to 88-83.
That surge was short-lived, as Milwaukee responded with an 18-5 run to reestablish control.
Antetokounmpo closed the stretch at the free-throw line, sealing the outcome before the fourth quarter turned into extended garbage time.
Milwaukee finished the game with a plus-10 advantage on the glass and converted 27 of 30 free throws, neutralizing Sacramento’s attempts to rally.
The Kings struggled from the perimeter, shooting just 5-of-25 from three-point range and failing to consistently space the floor.
Milwaukee travels to Golden State on Wednesday, while Sacramento hosts Dallas on Tuesday as it looks to halt its slide.
