Antetokounmpo scores 54 points, Bucks beat Clippers 106-105

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 20 of his 54 fourth quarter points and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 21-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-105 Thursday night for their sixth straight win.

Antetokounmpo also had 18 rebounds. The Greek star has hit the 50-point mark for the third time in his last 11 games. He had a career-high 55 on Jan. 3 against Washington and scored 50 in just 30 minutes on Sunday against New Orleans.

The Clippers lost for the second time in eight games and failed to capitalize on a few Milwaukee turnovers in the final seconds. Kawhi Leonhard missed an 18-footer in the final second while guarded by Wesley Matthews with help from Pat Connaughton.

Antetokounmpo made two free throws with 1:47 remaining to put the Bucks ahead 106-105, giving them their first lead since the second quarter. Kawhi Leonard missed a 12-footer and Paul George had a 3-point air-ball on the Clippers’ next two possessions.

George stole the ball from Jrue Holiday and the Clippers called a timeout with 27.1 seconds left, but Leonard missed a jumper. Antetokounmpo got the rebound but threw the ball out of bounds, giving possession to Los Angeles with 15.1 seconds left.

The Clippers again handed the ball to Leonhard, who once again missed.

Norman Powell scored 26 points to lead the Clippers. Leonard had 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, but shot 7 of 26. Marcus Morris and George had 16 points apiece. Zubac had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Khris Middleton had 16 points and Holiday added 12 for the Bucks. Holiday missed her first eight shots and didn’t get her first field goal until late in the third quarter.

ADVICE

Clippers: Morris returned after missing four games with a bruised rib. … George earned his eighth career All-Star selection earlier today.

Bucks: Holiday was named an All-Star reserve, marking his first All-Star selection since 2013 when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers. He joins Antetokounmpo on the All-Star team. It’s the fourth time in the last five seasons that the Bucks have had multiple All-Stars.

NEXT

Clippers: In New York on Saturday night.

Bucks: Host Miami on Saturday night.

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