Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 44 points, hit the tying 3-pointer with 18.7 seconds left in regulation and sank the tiebreaking free throws with three seconds left in overtime as the Milwaukee Bucks outlasted the Brooklyn Nets 120-119 on Thursday night in New York.
Antetokounmpo made 14 of 21 shots and his lone 3-pointer of the game moved him past Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar atop Milwaukee’s all-time scoring list. He also added 14 rebounds and six assists to help Milwaukee win for the 12th time in 15 games.
Jrue Holiday added 19 points and Khris Middleton contributed 16 for Milwaukee, which shot 44.9 percent and survived 22 turnovers. Middleton was ejected for a flagrant two foul call on Brooklyn’s Bruce Brown with 5:05 remaining.
Durant collected 26 points and 11 assists for the Nets, who lost for the third time in four meetings with Milwaukee this season. Kyrie Irving added 25 and Brown contributed 23 as Brooklyn shot 46.4 percent and hit 18 3-pointers.