This season’s first superstar battle between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama decidedly went to Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks star had 25 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists to lead Milwaukee to a 121-105 victory over Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at Fiserv Forum.
The first quarter was a highlight battle between the players, with Antetokounmpo rampaging for dunks and the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama nailing one-footed threes and swooping in for double-clutch layups.
But Wembanyama cooled off for the Spurs (18-19) after scoring seven points in the first quarter, while Antetokounmpo kept rolling for the Bucks (19-16).
A.J. Green and Brook Lopez help Bucks stay red-hot from three
Milwaukee nailed 22 of 44 three-pointers in its victory at Toronto on Monday.
The Bucks followed that up by sinking 19 of 42 from long range vs. San Antonio.
Brook Lopez and A.J. Green led the way for a hot start by nailing 4 three-pointers apiece in the first half.
BOX SCORE:Bucks 121, Spurs 105
Green had the sequence that drove the home fans crazy.
First, he got a behind-the-back pass from Antetokounmpo. Then Green gave Wembanyama a jab step, and nailed a corner three-pointer over the center’s lengthy wingspan.
On the next trip down the court, Green pulled up for a 30-footer and nailed it.
Bucks survive third-quarter push from Harrison Barnes and Spurs
The Bucks are not strangers to third-quarter lulls this season.
Antetokounmpo threw down a dunk for the first points after halftime to give Milwaukee a 67-46.
Then the Spurs kept chipping away at the lead and got it down to 80-72 on a three-pointer from Chris Paul.
San Antonio couldn’t get over the hump, missing several long jumpers and three-pointers and the Bucks built the lead back to 91-78 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Spurs’ Harrison Barnes hit 4 three-pointers to score 14 points in the third.
The Bucks kept nailing shots in the fourth quarter to pull away.
Five numbers
11:14 Damian Lillard didn’t score his first points until the 11:14 mark of the second quarter. He finished with 26 points
0 Points scored by Victor Wembenyama in the second quarter
7 Games this season in which Brook Lopez has scored 20 or more points
4 Three-pointers made by Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. on four attempts in the fourth quarter
2 Assists shy of back-to-back triple-doubles for Giannis Antetokounmpo
What time is the Bucks game tonight?
The game tips off at 8:30 p.m. CT.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast on ESPN with Mark Jones, Jay Bilas and Jorge Sedano on the call. It will also be televised locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks.
Is Giannis playing?
Yes. Giannis Antetokounmpo needed stitches on his right pinky after hitting it on the rim on Monday in Toronto. On the initial injury report, he is listed as probable with some pain (tendinopathy) in his right patella, but he’s been managing that all season. In his pregame availability, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Andre Jackson Jr. would play.
What about Damian Lillard?
Bucks guard Damian Lillard was a late addition to the injury report Wednesday afternoon. He is listed as questionable with a left calf contusion. Lillard was bothered by a right calf injury last month. After warming up, Lillard was deemed available for the game.
∎ Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (right patella tendinopathy)
∎ Andre Jackson, Jr., probable (back spasms)
∎ Khris Middleton, probable (bilateral ankle injury management)
∎ Damian Lillard, questionable (left calf contusion)
Bucks starting lineup
Guards: Damian Lillard, Andre Jackson Jr.
Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince
Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks vs. Spurs odds, over/under
Milwaukee is a 5-point favorite and the over/under is 227, per BetMGM.
