MILWAUKEE (AP) – Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and 15 rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Dallas Mavericks 116-106 on Monday.
Eric Bledsoe had 21 points and Malcolm Brogdon 19 for the Bucks, who have won five straight and 12 of their last 14 to improve to 34-12 overall.
Luka Doncic had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for Dallas, which has lost four in a row. Jalen Brunson had 16 points.
After trailing at the half, the Bucks built a double-digit lead in the third quarter and led 92-84 heading to the fourth. The game turned late in the quarter when the Mavericks’ Dwight Powell was ejected after being whistled for a pair of technical fouls following Sterling Brown’s corner 3-pointer. Brogdon made both technical foul shots to give Milwaukee a nine-point lead.
Milwaukee led throughout the final period. Dallas pulled within 106-101 with 3:05 left on Doncic’s traditional three-point play. Doncic banked in a 3 with one minute remaining to pull within six, but Dallas got no closer.
The Bucks grabbed a 35-26 lead after one quarter with Lopez sinking three 3-pointers. Dallas used an 8-0 run midway through the second quarter to get back into the game and took a 59-57 lead at the half. Matthews had 12 points in the quarter.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Coach Rick Carlisle called a timeout one minute into the game after Dallas fell behind 4-0. … DeAndre Jordan started after spraining his left ankle in Saturday night’s game against Indiana and only taking part in the walkthrough portion of Sunday’s practice.
Bucks: Brogdon delivered brief on-court remarks about Martin Luther King prior to tip-off. … Lopez blocked three shots in the first quarter after rejecting four first-quarter shots against Orlando on Saturday. … Recalled Christian Wood from the Wisconsin Herd of the G League. On Saturday, Wood scored 24 points and pulled down a Herd franchise-record 23 rebounds.
HEY BROTHER
Antetokounmpo suited up against his younger brother, Kostas, for the first time in the NBA. Kostas is with Dallas on a two-way contract and joined the Mavericks on this road trip after spending most of the season in the G League. Kostas was on the bench but did not play.
SMITH RETURNING
The Mavs will be rejoined by guard Dennis Smith Jr. on Tuesday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers. Smith didn’t play Monday, his sixth consecutive game missed and the 16th time he hasn’t played in Dallas’ last 24 contests. Smith and coach Rick Carlisle spoke Sunday, and from there it was revealed that Smith, who has been a rumored trade possibility, will resume workouts.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
Bucks: Host Charlotte on Friday night.
