Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 17 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter to help the Milwaukee Bucks pull away for their 17th straight victory, 127-114 over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
The Bucks overcome Jaren Jackson Jr.’s career-high 43 points. He scored 26 in the third quarter to give Memphis a 95-90 lead heading into the fourth.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 17 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter to help the Milwaukee Bucks pull away for their 17th straight victory, 127-114 over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
The 17-game winning streak is second-longest in franchise history, trailing only a 20-game run in the 1970-71 season.
Memphis played without star rookie Ja Morant, who took the night off for injury maintenance on a bad back.
Bucks: Bledsoe left with a right shin contusion. … Antetokounmpo has reached double figures in all 25 games he’s played and has 23 double-doubles. ... D.J. Wilson had 11 points, shooting 5 for 7.
Bucks: Face the Cleveland Cavaliers at home on Saturday night in second game of a back-to-back.
But Milwaukee outscored Memphis 37-19 in the final period to improve its record to 23-3, keeping pace with the Los Angeles Lakers for the best in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots between Memphis Grizzlies forwards Kyle Anderson (1) Jaren Jackson Jr. in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)
The 17-game winning streak is second-longest in franchise history, trailing only a 20-game run in the 1970-71 season.
Antetokounmpo converted 12 of 23 shots and had 11 rebounds for Milwaukee, which has not lost since Nov. 8 against Utah. Khris Middleton added 26 points for the Bucks, while Eric Bledsoe finished with 12 before leaving in the third quarter with an injury.
Dillon Brooks had 19 points for Memphis, while Jae Crowder had 15 points.
Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) dunks against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)
Memphis played without star rookie Ja Morant, who took the night off for injury maintenance on a bad back.
Jackson made seven of his first nine attempts behind the arc in the third quarter to help Memphis build the lead to nine.
TIP-INS
Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) dunks against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)
Bucks: Bledsoe left with a right shin contusion. … Antetokounmpo has reached double figures in all 25 games he’s played and has 23 double-doubles. ... D.J. Wilson had 11 points, shooting 5 for 7.
Grizzlies: Rookie Brandon Clarke also was out because of a left oblique injury. Clarke ranks fifth in the league – and first among rookies — in field goal percentage at 63.8% …Brooks converted a four-point play in the second quarter. … Jackson has made at least two 3-pointers in seven straight games.
UP NEXT
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) gestures to the crowd after scoring a three-point basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)
Bucks: Face the Cleveland Cavaliers at home on Saturday night in second game of a back-to-back.
Grizzlies: Play the Wizards on Saturday night in the second game of a home back-to-back.
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Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill (3) shoots against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP PhotoBrandon Dill)