Giannis triple-double helps Bucks outlast Wizards 117-111

WASHINGTON(AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 points, had a season-high 13assists andrebounded his intentionally missedshotwith a second left for his fourth-triple double ofthe season as the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks beat the WashingtonWizards 117-111 on Sunday night.

Jevon Carteradded 20 points while shooting 6 of 10 from beyond the arc, andJrue Holiday scored 19 in Milwaukee’s victory a night after a homeloss to Philadelphia snapped a 16-game win streak.

It was justabout over when Antetokounmpo dribbled to the basket and lightlytossed the ball off the backboard to himself for his 10threbound.

“I wasthinking about scoring the ball, but I feel like in thosesituations it’s best to kind of keep the ball,” Antetokounmpo said.“But yeah, I just try to play the game smart and kind of stoleone.”

The Bucksmade 22 of their 49 attempts beyond the arc, the most allowed bythe Wizards this season, while moving 1 1/2 games in front ofBoston for first in the Eastern Conference.

“We feel likewe’ve got a lot of depth,” said Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer,who had six players hit multiple 3s. “We’ve got a lot of guys thatare good shooters that can get hot from the 3-point line. So that’spart of a good team and being able to play on back-to-backs andmake it through the season and be prepared for the playoffs.”

Bradley Bealscored 33 points for the Wizards, who remain 10th in the East andin line for the final play-in tournament spot. Kristaps Porzingisadded 24 points and 14 rebounds for Washington, which lost for thesecond time at home in two nights.

“I’m happywith how hard we played and the product we’re giving our fans,”Porzingis said after Washington overcame an early 17-point deficitto make the game competitive. “Even though we had these two toughlosses, I think it’s something positive we can take from thesegames.”

The Wizardsgradually whittled away at the Bucks’ 11-point halftime lead andfinally went in front following a during a run that stretchedacross the late third and early fourth quarter.

The Bucksresponded by making five consecutive baskets, including two 3s eachfrom Carter and Grayson Allen to retake the lead. Then Allen andJoe Ingles hit from beyond the arc again during another 12-4,game-sealing stretch.

“It was justtaking the ones that was there,” Carter said. “It felt like when Iwas bringing it down, they just kept backing up, so I just wasgoing to be aggressive in taking the shot.”

TIP-INS

Bucks: Restedforward Khris Middleton (right knee) after he played 27 minutes inSaturday’s loss to Philadelphia. ... Had two baskets beforehalftime that were originally called 2-pointers upgraded to3-pointers following video review.

Wizards: SatF Kyle Kuzma after he injured his right knee in a collision inSaturday’s overtime loss to Toronto. “We’ve just got to give it aday or two to calm down,” said Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. ...Unseld challenged Porzingis’ foul on Antetokounmpo with 8:19 toplay in the third quarter, but it was upheld.

GORANPLACES

The Buckssigned 14-year veteran Goran Dragic on Saturday as their thirdpoint guard, and on Sunday Budenholzer weighed in.

“To getsomeone of Goran’s quality, we feel very, very fortunate,”Budenholzer said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with the (regularseason) schedule. It’s the playoffs and having your best team, andyour deepest team. And to have as much coverage as possible forevery scenario.”

The36-year-old Dragic averaged 15.4 minutes, 6.7 points and 2.7assists in 51 games before the Chicago Bulls waived him onTuesday.

UPNEXT

Bucks: VisitOrlando on Tuesday

Wizards:Visit Detroit on Tuesday