MILWAUKEE — The Utah Jazz held off a strong second-half rally by the Milwaukee Bucks to secure a 132-116 victory, despite Milwaukee’s spirited comeback attempt. Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 21 points each, contributing to a win that continues Utah’s impressive run of form.
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a triple-double for the Bucks with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. John Collins, Collin Sexton, and Keyonte George each added 19 points for the Jazz, who have now won five of their last six games and are 11-4 over their last 15.
Markkanen emphasized the significance of the win, acknowledging the difficulty in maintaining a large lead. The Jazz were leading by 31 points at halftime but faced a determined Bucks team in the second half.
Milwaukee, missing guard Damian Lillard due to personal reasons, struggled in the first half but mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter, scoring 44 points to reduce the deficit to 10 points. Khris Middleton and Malik Beasley added 23 and 17 points, respectively, for the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo stressed the importance of staying together as a team during challenging times and focusing on improvement. The Bucks’ coach, Adrian Griffin, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for consistent energy and effort.
The Jazz’s three-point shooting was particularly noteworthy, as they hit 11 of 17 from beyond the arc in the first quarter and maintained a high shooting percentage throughout the game. This sharpshooting played a crucial role in building and sustaining their lead.
Despite the Bucks’ efforts to close the gap, highlighted by Brook Lopez’s dunk in the fourth quarter, the Jazz maintained control of the game, ultimately securing the win.
Both teams now look ahead to their next games, with the Jazz hosting the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday and the Bucks facing the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
