The Milwaukee Bucks have found new life in April.
Just when it looked like their season was dying on the vine, the Bucks have blossomed with five straight victories after a dramatic 110-103 comeback victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Fiserv Forum.
The Bucks erased a 24-point deficit in the fourth quarter behind the help of Giannis Antetokounmpo (23 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists) and Kevin Porter Jr. (21 points, five assists).
More: Box score | Bucks schedule | Playoff picture
Bobby Portis returned from his 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug program and provided a lift with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
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The Bucks came into the night averaging 122.8 points per game in April, much higher than their 114.9 season average. It didn’t look like Milwaukee would crack the century mark after scoring 70 points through three quarters.
Things looked especially bleak for the Bucks when the Timberwolves’ Donte DiVincenzo knocked in a three-pointer for a 95-71 lead with 10:09 remaining.
But hope starting creeping into the minds of Bucks fans as the deficit kept decreasing over the next few minutes.
The crowd really exploded when A.J. Green pulled up for a three-pointer from well beyond the line to get Milwaukee within 95-87 at the 6:42 mark.
The Bucks scored 23 unanswered points before the Timberwolves’ Julius Randle made two free throws to give Minnesota a 97-94 advantage.
Green hit another big three with 3:35 left to tie the game at 97-97.
After a fracas between the Wolves’ Rudy Gobert and the Bucks’ Kevin Porter Jr. that resulted in double technicals, Porter Jr. scored six straight points – including two breakaway layups off steals – to take a 103-98 lead.
Bucks lose scout Ronald Dupree to Louisiana State
In what is becoming a trend around the NBA and NCAA men’s basketball, a college program plucked a scout to become its general manager. The Bucks are the latest, losing director of global scouting Ronald Dupree to the Tigers. The school announced the hire on Monday.
Dupree had been a scout for the Bucks since 2017.
He was a standout for the Tigers from 1999-2003 and was part of a team that went to the Sweet 16. He played professionally from 2003-14, with six seasons coming in the NBA and the rest in the G League and internationally.
Five numbers
22: The Bucks led for only 22 seconds in the first half
5: Taurean Prince missed his first 5 three-pointers before making one in the third quarter
10: Straight missed threes over three games for Prince before that make
156: Three-pointers off the bench this season for Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr., giving him the most in franchise history for a single season. Trent hit two triples against Minnesota, passing Michael Redd’s mark of 154 set in the 2002-03 season. Trent has come off the bench in 63 of his 72 games.
5: Career high in steals for Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr.
Is Giannis playing?
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as probable on the injury report with left shoulder tendiopathy. Before the game, Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo will play.
Antetokounmpo sat out the Bucks’ victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
What time is the Bucks game?
Bucks-Timberwolves will tip off at 7 p.m.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
It will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson, and Melanie Ricks on the call.
Bucks injury report
- Jericho Sims, out (right thumb surgery)
- Damian Lillard, out (right calf deep vein thrombosis)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (left shoulder tendinopathy)
- Pat Connaughton, questionable (right ankle sprain)
Bucks probable starters
- Guards: Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince
- Forwards: Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Center: Brook Lopez
Bucks vs. Timberwolves odds, over/under
Milwaukee is an 5.5-point underdog against Minnesota, and the over/under is 222.5 points per BetMGM.
Eastern Conference playoff bracket
This what the playoff bracket looks like heading into Tuesday’s games:
- No. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 8 Play-in winner
- No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 5 Milwaukee
- No. 2. Boston vs. No. 7 Play-in winner
- No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Detroit
Eastern Conference playoff standings
With just a few games to go in the regular season, this is how the Eastern Conference standings look:
- Cleveland (62-16)
- Boston (58-20)
- New York (50-28)
- Indiana (47-31)
- Milwaukee (44-34)
- Detroit (43-36)
- Orlando (38-40)
- Atlanta (37-41)
- Chicago (36-42)
- Miami (36-43)
