Milwaukee Bucks 116 vs 104 Phoenix Suns summary: stats and highlights | NBA

The league leading Milwaukee Bucks ended a tough three game Western swing with a big win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 36 points and 11 rebounds in the Bucks 116-104 victory from the Footprint Center.

Suns start slow again

Both the Bucks and the Suns came into the game on the second end of a back to back slate but it was visitors who came out looking like the fresher team. The Suns have been slow in their starts since Kevin Durant went down with a pregame injury last week, and the same story played out for the Suns in their loss to the Milwaukee.

Giannis had 11 and five rebounds in the first quarter to get the night going in the right direction for the Bucks. Deandre Ayton came out and had a bright opening few minutes, but Devin Booker Suns went cold to end the first and into the second quarter.

Former Phoenix Sun, Jae Crowder hit back to back threes against his old team to start the second quarter and that allowed the Bucks to stretch out to a double digit lead while Phoenix scored just two points over a four minute stretch to start the stanza.

Phoenix critical of FT difference

Deandre Ayton battled foul trouble all night as he tried to keep tabs on Giannis. He had three fouls in the second quarter, and five fouls midway through the third as the Greek went to the FT line 24 times. Phoenix as a team, meanwhile went to the stripe just 16 times.

Both Devin Booker and Monty Williams were both outspoken about the disparity of free throws, and of the refs all together in their press conferences after the game.

With Ayton out most of the third quarter, Booker took over. After a 10 points first half he blew up for 17 in the third and the Suns went to the fourth quarter having cut a 16 point deficit to a one point deficit.

Bucks officially in the playoffs

Cam Payne started the final 12 minutes by hitting back to back threes to give the Suns their first lead since it was 22-21, but again the Suns went ice cold to end the game.

Milwaukee’s defense held the home side to just nine points in the final nine minutes, as Brook Lopez and Giannis terrorized Phoenix defensively during the final stretch of the game.  Lopez didn’t just do it on the defensive end, he had 21 points and 10 rebounds as former Suns players, Crowder and Jevon Carter hit big threes late in the game to seal the win for the team with the best record in the league.

Not only are the Bucks the first team to 50 wins this season, they clinched the first playoff birth in the 2023 NBA post season with their victory on Tuesday night. The Suns meanwhile, will look to stop the losing skid against Orlando on Thursday.

With the win over Phoenix, the Milwaukee Bucks become the first team to qualify for the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Crowder heard it from his former fans all night, and had the last word with this three that buried the Suns.

MIlwaukee allowed just 9 points in the final 9 minutes of the game thanks some great defensive plays down the stretch.

It was still a tight game until Ingles hit this spot up three ball to crush the comeback hopes of the Suns.

The Suns got a brief lead, but Carter took the advantage right back with this catch and shoot three and that would be the last time that Phoenix led on Tuesday night.

The Suns would erase a one time 16 point lead, and they would even go ahead early in the fourth quarter, but Giannis was too much to handle on the second end of a back to back series.

Both Crowder and Carter had a hand in bringing their old team down. The former Suns duo went for a combined 20 points and came up with some timely buckets down the stretch.

Jrue Holiday always seems to rise to the occasion against the Suns. He had 12, 6 and 5 but did it on the defensive end as well on Tuesday night.

Crowder used to play for the Suns, but was traded to the Bucks and he had back to back threes that stretched the Bucks lead out to double digits in the second half.

Giannis got going early and set the tone for the Bucks on the road.

Lopez made headlines in the game on Monday night when he was involved in a tussle with the Kings, on Tuesday night he made headlines with his 21 points and 10 rebounds.

IT'S ALL OVER! THE BUCKS GET A BIG WIN ON THE SECOND NIGHT OF A ROAD BACK TO BACK SERIES.

GIANNIS HAD 36, 11 AND 8 ASSISTS TO KEEP THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS ON TOP OF THE EASTERN CONFERENCE.

Wainright drills a three ball, but that's not going to be enough for the Suns.

Giannis back to the line and this time he hits both with under a minute to go in the Phoenix.

Giannis goes to the line after the foul on Paul, but misses both FTs.

Crowder with a three ball and that might have just sentenced his old team in front of the fans who used to chant his name at the Footprint Center.

Pick and roll from Ingles to Lopez and the lay up in the lane goes.

Giannis back to the line after the Wainright foul and he hits one of two from the stripe.

The Bucks are going to take a timeout with 3:46 to go in the fourth quarter up by 7.

Paul gets back to the elbow and nails the mid range jumper.

INgles drills a three ball and the lead is back to 9!

Paul on the runner in the lane over Lopez!

Holiday goes to the line by a Paul foul and he hits both FTs.

Ingles dumps it off to Lopez who gets the hoop and the harm! FT is no good.

The Suns are called for a T after a delay of game, and Holiday hits the FT.

Connaughton with a three ball  in the corner!!!

Okogie makes one of two FTs to tie up the game out of the timeout.

Okogie picked Holiday's pocket, and got fouled on the lay up. He's going to the line for two FTs after the tiomeout with under 7 minutes to play from Phoenix.

Okogie gets one of two from the line after the Connaughton foul.

Carter give the Bucks the lead back with a three ball off the kick out from Giannis.

Holiday showing some post moves with the turn around in the paint.

Booker drills a three ball for the first time tonight and the Suns lead by 3!

Giannis goes back to the line after the Wainwright foul and he hits one of two.

Giannis fouled by Ross, and he hits both FTs

Landale with a slam to get this Footprint Center crowd off their feet!

Giannis with the follow off his own miss and gets the tip in to go while falling to the ground.

Payne with back to back threes and the Suns lead for the first time since it was 22-21

Payne strokes a three ball and we are all tied up here from Phoenix!

Matthews starts the fourth quarter with a catch and shoot from the FT line.

Booker drained the clock down and beat the buzzer with a pull up from the elbow over his old teammate Crowder!

We are headed to the line fourth quarter with a one point game in Phoenix. Booker had 17 in that quarter and made up for Ayton's foul trouble.

Booker gets the roll on the step back fro the FT line.

Crowder to the line after the foul on Booker, and he hits both to a caucophony of boos at the Footprint Center.

Booker to the line after the Matthews foul and he hits both from the stripe.

Payne at the line after the foul on Giannis. He hits both FTs.

Kick out to Portis from Giannis and he drills the triple try!

Landale with a short floater in the lane.

Ginnis going back to the rack and finished at the rim again.

Landale following up the miss by Payne and gets the put back.

Giannis gets the dish from Ingles and he gets the lay up in traffic to go.

Landale was fouled by Lopez and he goes to the line hitting both.

Timeout MIL with 3:11 to go and the Suns are right back in this game.

Payne strokes a much needed three ball! and we have a 6 point game!

Portis at the line after the Booker foul and he hits one of two.

Lopez with a big bucket on the floater to stop the Suns run.

Booker on the high arching floater, and he's got nine in the quarter.

Ayton just picked up his fifth foul with over 5 minutes to go in the third.

Booker gets the mid range jumper to go and he's got 17 on the night.

Ingles and Lopez playing a two man game that leads to a Lopez layup

Booker got T'd up after complaining that he got fouled on the drive, and Holiday hits the FT.

Booker is starting to get cooking. He raced to the rack after the missed FT from Giannis.

Giannis fouled by Ayton, that's number 4, and the Greek goes to the line and misses both.

Booker backing down Carter from the FT line and he gets the floater and the foul to go! FT is good to complete the three point play.

Giannis at the line after the Okogie foul and he hits both FTs.

Ayton working the mid range jumper again, and if Booker is not going to step up it's going to have to be the Suns big man.

Ayton in the paint and he hits the floater over Lopez

Lopez gets the tip in following up on the Holiday miss.

Booker puts it on the deck and takes his defender to the rack on the lay up.

Holiday gets the tip in to go off the Giannis miss.

Paul drops the baseline floater.

Lopez missed the three but an offensive rebound by Carter led to Lopez finishing at the bucket on the second chance points.

Ayton starting the second half like he started the first half, with a mid range jumper.

Giannis going back to the bucket and he's got 22 already.

WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FROM PHOENIX!!

Carter drills a corner three to start us off in the third quarter.

Milwaukee's defense has looked ferocious on the second night of a back to back and it led to an easy Portis dunk here.

Giannis hitting milestone after milestone. He reached 16,000 points with this FT, in his career. Not in the game. That would be a record or something.

Jae Crowder was traded to the Bucks a matter of weeks ago, and he hit two threes against his old team to start the quarter.

Booker isn't the only on having a slow night on the offensive end. CP3 has just 5 points, three came from this play here.

Deandre Ayton had six quick points with mid range shot like this early in the first quarter but then went quiet for the rest of the half.

Both of these teams are on the second night of a back to back, and often times it's going to be hustle plays that get the job done on night like these. When you have Bobby Portis, those hustle plays usually end up going your way.

Giannis is used to getting a lot of easy bucket, like this one, which was set up by Holiday's assist.

Brook Lopez was not suspended after his little scuffle with Tyler Lyles from the Kings last night, so he got the start and got on the board early with a three ball.

We are headed to the halftime break with the Bucks up by just 9 after a little Phoenix run to end the quarter.

Giannis leads all scorers with 20 and 9 rebounds, Lopez had another 9 for MIL. Ayton and Booker both have 10 after two quarters, but if the Suns are going to get back in this game they need to be more active on the offensive end.

Booker had his lay up swatted but a goaltend was called by Holiday who got there just after the ball hit the backboard.

Booker takes a dribble and pulls up from a step inside the arc for a rare bucket tonight.

Landale wide open on the inbound pass and he hits the floater.

Easy slam for Portis on the long outlet from Lopez.

Lopez working back down low and he gets the alley oop lay up after a Holiday dish.

Timeout Suns with under three to go in the second quarter.

Holiday using the body to get to the iron and hits the short jumper off the glass.

Craig nails a three ball off the Booker kick out, and the lead is back to single digits.

Pick and roll with Okogie and Landale who hit the floater in the paint.

Okogie at the line after the Ingles foul and he hits both FTs.

Holiday lays it high up off the glass on the drive from the right side.

Ayton just picked up his third foul, so the Suns will sub him out for Landale.

Giannis at the line after the Craig foul and he hits both FTs.

Giannis getting the leaner from the baseline to go.

Ayton gets back on the board for the first time in the second quarter.

Lopez comes out of the timeout with a baby hook.

Wainright with back to back buckets and this time he drops it from  downtown!

Timeout Bucks with 7:08 to go in the first half.

Giannis getting back to the bucket and he's quickly inching towards 20 points in the first half.

Wainright ends a streak of 8 straight misses with a short jumper from the FT line.

Ingles drills a three at the top of the keyoff the Giannis kick out!

Giannis going back to the line after another Biyombo foul and he splits the two.

Giannis to the line after the Biyombo foul and he misses both FTs!

Crowder with back to back teams against his former teammates and the Bucks are rolling after the quarter the change.

Crowder gets the roll in a place he used to call home for his opening points of the night.

Payne gets to the elbow and begins the second quarter with a floater.

Giannis strolls right to the lane on the finger roll and that will bring us to the end of the first quarter!

Milwaukee pulled ahead early, but it's been even through 12 minutes. Giannis has 11 and 5 already and Booker and Ayton have 6 a piece for the Suns.

Suns with a steal and that leads to a Booker left handed lay up in transition.

Connaughton drills the three ball and the whistle goes after a foul on Ross! FT is good to complete the FOUR POINT PLAY!

Feed from Holiday to find Portis for the floater down the middle of the lane.

Booker going back to the bucket and the floater fall for the Suns leading scorer.

TO with 2:39 to go in the first quarter.

Strong post move from Portis who broke through a hand check, got the foul and the baby hook to drop! FT is good.

Craig gets the soft roll off the deep ball for the Suns first lead of the night!

CP3 goes right at Lopez and gets the floater over the big man to go, and goes to the line with an AND 1! FT is good and it's a one point game.

Lopez's jump hook falls after getting a friendly roll of the front iron.

Booker gets the roll off the front of the rim on the leaner in the lane.

Okogie at the line after the timeout and he hits two of two.

We are headed to a timeout here six minutes into the first quarter, with the Bucks up early on.

Carter strings the three ball after Giannis found him on the kick out!

Paul pulls up with his patented elbow jumper for his first points of the night.

Giannis back at the line, and he hits one of two after Ayton's second foul

Ayton with the FT line jumper and he's got six early points for Phoenix.

Giannis hitting the offensive glass hard after the Holiday miss, and he gets the put back to go.

Ayton from the elbow and he's showing some range early on.

Giannis fouled by Ayton and he hits both FTs from the line.

Connaughton at the line after a CP3 foul and he hits one of two FTs.

Okogie following up the Ayton miss and he gets the put back off the offensive rebound.

HOliday with the alley and Giannis comes in with the oop!

Ayton starts the Suns evening with a floater from inside the FT line. He's going to need to be big for the Suns tonight.

Giannis kicks it out to Lopez, who drills the three for an early 5-0 lead.

Giannis stats the night with an easy jump after the Connaughton dump off.

WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM THE FOOTPRINT CENTER!!!

With no KD, it's Josh Okogie and Torey Craig that will have to pick up the slack for the Suns tonight.

Mike Budenholzer is going with Jevon Carter in his starting five tonight in the desert. He and Connaughton will provide the early outside threat for Miluwakee.

MVGiannis?

The Greek Freak is on track for potentially another MVP season with the Bucks coming out of the East as one of the favorites to get to the Finals. Giannis is fourth in scoring with 31.5 ppg and is third in rebounds with 11.9 a night. He has already won the award twice, but will have to fend off Nikola Jokic, who is looking for his third straight MVP and Joel Embiid who would be a first time winner if he is crowned the league’s best player at the end of the season.

KD back on the sidelines

In a freak accident, Kevin Durant was injured in pregame warmup before last weeks’ game between the Suns and his old team, the OKC Thunder. He had played just three games with Phoenix before that as his debut with his new team was delayed due to a sprained knee that kept him out for over a month. His sprained ankle could keep him out for 2 or 3 weeks, which is time that would have been invaluable to expedite the chemistry between Durant, CP3 and Devin Booker. Reports say he could be out the rest of the regular season, other reports say if the playoffs were today, he would be on the court. These days in the NBA, we are never too certain the extent of an injury, but we can only imagine the extent of the urgency the Suns have to get their newest superstar back on the court ASAP.

NBA Standings

Taking a look at the standings in both conferences we see the Bucks at the top of the East after their 16 game win streak leap frogged them over the Boston Celtics who are currently 2.5 games back sitting in second place. The Sixers are still lurking and could get a back door one seed if the Bucks have any sort of slip up. Despite the loss last night, the Suns are in the fourth spot in the West. They are 8.5 games back of the first placed Nuggets, so their chance at a top seed is slim. Phoenix will be more concerned with keeping the final homecourt seed from the Clippers who are two games back in fifth and the Warriors who are two and a half games behind the Suns.

Bucks know Footprint Center well

Giannis and the Bucks know this place well. Their fondest memory will come in Game 5 of the NBA Finals when they stole home court from the Suns and then went on to win the title in the next game in Milwaukee in Game 6. This season, the Bucks could be on track to get back to the Finals, but a lot will rest on the jacked shoulder of that man right there.

Book back in the building

Once again the Suns are without Kevin Durant, so Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton will have to pick up the slack on the offensive end. Booker and the big man were on the verge of making the comeback in the third quarter of the loss to the Warriors game last night, but they will be hoping to make a faster start than they had in the Bay Area.

Suns last game

The Suns got flattened in the first quarter of their game last night. Klay Thompson almost outscored them single handily in the first 12 minutes, posting 18 points while Phoenix were held to just 21. The Golden State lead stretched 25 before the second quarter as the Warriors controlled the first half of the game with ease. Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton got hot in the third and cut that 25 point lead to three, but never managed to tie the game and the Warriors would pull away after a brief scare. Thompson scored 33 of his 38 points in the first half, and Curry finished with 23 as the Suns were dealt their second straight loss.

Bucks last game

Milwaukee went in to Sacramento to take on a tough Kings team and secured the season sweep over one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Giannis Antetokoumnpo had another brilliant night, which is essentially the norm for a guy who can go for 40 anytime he wants. He had 46 and 12 rebounds in the win while Khris Middleton chipped in another 31 points. The Bucks win was overshadowed by the scrap that Brook Lopez and Trey Lyles got into a scuffle towards the end of the game. Lost in craziness was the fact that the Bucks are on the cusp of being the first team in the NBA to lock down a playoff birth.

We are live from Phoenix

Hello everyone and welcome to the desert where both the Suns and the Bucks are on the second game of a back to back. The Bucks had a 16 game win streak that stretched through February and into March, and got back to their winning ways with a big win over a stacked Sacramento team last night after a stumble over the Warriors over the weekend. The Suns meanwhile, are trying to break even during the two to three weeks they will be without Kevin Durant, and they look to bounce back after a loss to Golden State to start the week.

Bucks vs. Suns

We have to teams with Finals aspirations going head-to-head in a rematch of the 2021 NBA title series as Giannis Antetokounmpo and the league leading Milwaukee Bucks hit the road to take on the Phoenix Suns and AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, scores and highlights of tonight’s pivotal match up from the Footprint Center.