MILWAUKEE, WI – The Charlotte Hornets dropped their third straight game on Wednesday night in heartbreaking fashion against the NBA defending champion, Milwaukee Bucks by a 127-125 score.
Charlotte got off to a red hot start hitting ten threes in the first quarter alone. Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington each hit a pair of threes in the first four minutes to give the Hornets an early 17-7 lead. Kelly Oubre Jr. also hit two from deep in the opening quarter off the bench, helping the Hornets to a very impressive 41-25 lead.
On the opening play of the second quarter, Ish Smith lofted a pass up in the air for Miles Bridges who threw down the alley-oop over two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, the dunk may have fueled Antetokounmpo who singlehandedly brought the Bucks back to within just eight at the half, 68-60. Midway through the third, Milwaukee strung together some defensive stops and took their first lead of the night. The Bucks outscored the Hornets 37-27 in the third quarter to hold a 97-95 lead going into the final stanza.
LaMelo Ball and Antetokounmpo went back and forth seemingly the final ten minutes of the game. Neither team could stretch out to a comfortable lead. In fact, the largest lead in the fourth was in the opening minute where the Bucks led by six but that was quickly erased. It was mainly a one-possession affair from that point on.
With eight seconds left, Khris Middleton sank a couple of free throws to give Milwaukee a three-point lead. Ball hit a clutch three on the other end to tie things back up at 125-125. Milwaukee called a timeout to advance the ball and got the ball in Giannis’ hands who hit what would be the game-winner by driving the ball at P.J. Washington in the paint. Miles Bridges heaved one up from near midcourt and nearly got it to fall but it rimmed out, allowing the Bucks to hold on for the victory.
Ball finished the night with 36 points (career-high), nine assists, and five rebounds. He also set a career-high with eight made threes.
