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Giannis, Middleton lead Bucks to big NBA win over OKC

Staff WritersAP
Giannis Antetokounmpo has returned from injury with a double-double to steer the Bucks past OKC. (AP PHOTO)
Camera IconGiannis Antetokounmpo has returned from injury with a double-double to steer the Bucks past OKC. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AP

Giannis Antetokounmpo has registered 30 points and a season-high 19 rebounds and Khris Middleton recorded his second career triple-double as Milwaukee trounced Oklahoma City 118-93.

Middleton had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first triple-double since January 20, 2018.

The Bucks broke open a close game in the second half as the Thunder (49-21) fell out of the Western Conference lead.

Reigning NBA champions Denver (50-21) didn't play on Monday (AEDT) and moved a half-game ahead of the Thunder.

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Oklahoma posted their lowest points total and lowest percentage of the season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 points - the first time since January 19 he was held to less than 20 - and sat out the entire fourth quarter after Milwaukee had built a lopsided lead.

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Australian guard Josh Giddey had 19 points and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder.

Antetokounmpo returned after missing two games with a left hamstring issue.

The Bucks (46-25), second in the Eastern Conference behind the Celtics (57-14), had seven players score in double figures.

Bobby Portis had 15, Brook Lopez 14, Damian Lillard and Pat Connaughton 11 apiece and Jae Crowder 10.

Milwaukee led 48-47 at halftime and broke open the game by outscoring Oklahoma 18-2 in the first six-plus minutes of the third quarter.

The Bucks ended up winning the third period 34-17 as OKC matched their lowest points total for any quarter all season.

Minnesota and New Orleans edged closer to the Thunder in the West after both enjoyed wins.

The third-placed Timberwolves (49-22) won 114-110 at home over the 10th-placed Warriors (36-34), despite Stephen Curry's game-high 34 points.

The fifth-placed Pelicans (44-27) saw off the Pistons 114-101 in Detroit, but the fourth-ranked Clippers (44-26) suffered a 121-107 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers in Los Angeles.

In the East, the eighth-placed Heat thrashed the third-placed Cleveland Cavaliers 121-84 in Miami, with Aussie Patty Mills contributing 10 points, two rebounds and two assists.

In Los Angeles, Anthony Davis had 36 points and 16 rebounds and LeBron James added 26 points and 10 assists as the Lakers survived Indiana's fourth-quarter comeback for a 150-145 victory.

Spencer Dinwiddie had 26 points in his biggest offensive game since joining the Lakers, who have won three straight and five of seven.

Los Angeles led 116-99 entering the fourth quarter, but Indiana closed the gap to three points down the stretch.

The Lakers held on by scoring 10 points in the final minute - including six free throws by Austin Reaves, who finished with 25 points in the Lakers' highest-scoring performance of the season.

Pascal Siakam scored 19 of his 36 points in the third quarter for the Pacers, who dropped to 2-1 on their five-game road trip.

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