DALLAS – In a commanding performance, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 29 points, along with nine rebounds and nine assists, while Damian Lillard contributed 28 points, propelling the Milwaukee Bucks to a decisive 132-117 win against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.
Gary Trent Jr. also played a significant role, adding 20 points for the Bucks, as they secured their sixth victory in the last seven games, placing them firmly in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Kyrie Irving led the way for the Dallas Mavericks with 31 points, battling on without several key players. The Mavericks are striving to maintain their position in the Western Conference playoff standings as they await the return of Anthony Davis from a groin injury. Davis was sidelined shortly after his inaugural appearance for Dallas following a major trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite making all 11 of his free throws, Irving struggled from beyond the arc, managing only 2 of 9, as the Mavericks collectively shot a mere 28% (11 of 40) from three-point range.
**Takeaways**
Bucks: Milwaukee has solidified their form, now standing at an impressive 21-1 when scoring at least 120 points in a game, an achievement they have met three times over their last four outings.
Mavericks: On the final day of his 10-day contract, Moses Brown put up a commendable performance with 18 points and nine rebounds. Previously, Brown recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds in a win against Charlotte. However, the Mavericks face a challenge as they cannot extend another 10-day contract to Brown due to salary cap limitations, despite needing his size in the absence of Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford, all sidelined by injuries.
**Key Moment**
A pivotal point in the game came when Lillard and Antetokounmpo harmonized their efforts to score Milwaukee’s final 13 points leading up to halftime. This effort transformed a one-point disadvantage into an eight-point lead. Upon returning, Lillard opened the second half scoring spree with a bucket, spurring a 10-2 run that extended Milwaukee’s lead to 81-65.
**Key Stat**
Antetokounmpo’s proficiency from the free-throw line stood out, as he excelled by hitting 11 of 13 attempts, a notable improvement given his previous 58% shooting average.
**Up Next**
The Milwaukee Bucks will face off against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, while the Dallas Mavericks will host the Sacramento Kings on Monday. Both teams are set for a rematch in Milwaukee on Wednesday.
