After a 10-point win in the preseason opener with just one starter in the lineup, the Milwaukee Bucks were at full force Wednesday.
The outcome, a 133-99 win at home over the Utah Jazz, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 22 points in 21 minutes. The 24-year-old reigning MVP shot 8 of 14 from the field, 0-for-3 from deep and had 11 rebounds, four assists a steal and a block.
The Bucks were up 34-23 after the first quarter and 64-46 at halftime.
Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez each scored 14. Newcomer Wesley Matthews started, and scored 8 points in 17 minutes, going 2-for-3 from deep.
Other newcomers were also relatively successful in short minutes. Dragan Bender had 11 points, three blocks, Kyle Kover went 3-for-3 from deep and Thanasis Antetokounmp, Giannis’ brother, had 9 points, on 4-for-4 shooting to go with five rebounds.
Big man Rudy Gobert didn’t play for the Jazz. Donovan Mitchell scored 14 in 18 minutes. The only other player in double figures was 21-year-old center Tony Bradley, who had 17 points, 10 rebounds in a game-high 22 minutes.
TOP PHOTO: Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton, left, looks to shoot against Utah Jazz’s Royce O’Neale during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)