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    • Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard help the Bucks end their losing streak
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    Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard help the Bucks end their losing streak

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

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    The Milwaukee Bucks have climbed out of the NBA cellar.

    Thanks to a dominant second half, the Bucks ended their six-game losing streak with a 123-100 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night at Fiserv Forum.

    The Bucks (2-6) entered the game tied with the Jazz (1-7) and Philadelphia 76ers (1-6) and had the worst record in the league.

    Milwaukee won for the first time since the season opener in Philadelphia, getting 34 points from Damian Lillard and 31 points and 16 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    BOX score: Dollar 123, Jazz 100

    The Bucks took control in the third quarter and took an 87-72 lead after a 15-1 run.

    The tension in the building subsided as Milwaukee ran the rest of the way.

    Jazzy three-point shooting cools down

    The Fiserv Forum crowd was nervous early in the game because the Jazz led 61-57 at halftime thanks to absurd three-point shooting.

    Utah shot 14 for 26 from distance, with Keyonte George (nine points), Johnny Juzang (12) and Jordan Clarkson (12) all making three 3-pointers.

    But that couldn’t be sustained.

    The Jazz missed their first seven three-pointers in the third quarter.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo sets another team record

    With six offensive rebounds against the Jazz, Antetokounmpo has 1,469 career rebounds, setting the franchise record and passing Marques Johnson (1,468).

    Antetokounmpo owns the most career scoring marks for the Bucks, with the exception of Khris Middleton’s three-pointers attempted and made.

    Next up for Antetokounmpo is Quinn Buckner’s steals record of 1,042, which he could reach by the end of next season.

    Doc Rivers brings Andre Jackson Jr. into the starting lineup

    Rivers made his first dramatic move against the team’s slow start by inserting second-year guard Andre Jackson Jr. into the starting lineup for Gary Trent Jr.

    “We continue to look for that position, just to be a good role player and defensive stopper,” Rivers said. “Gary had problems too.

    “I think Gary will work his way back at some point. I’m just trying to give him room to breathe and get out of his little thing. Because I know he will.”

    Rivers talked about Jackson’s energy being contagious.

    “Dre gives us things, the main thing is athleticism,” Rivers said after practice Wednesday. “And we need that.”

    Trent has struggled with his shot, shooting 9-for-39 (23.1%) on three-pointers this season.

    Jackson provided exactly what Rivers was looking for with the starters.

    He threw the ball away and had a breakaway dunk to tie the game 6-6. He had another fastbreak layup to take a 13-9 lead and also threw an alley-oop to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    Five numbers

    36 Bank points for the Jazz in the first half

    14 Three first-half points for Utah, which came into the game averaging 11.3 per game.

    1 Shot attempt for Bucks center Brook Lopez in the first half

    3 Fouls in the first half for Andre Jackson Jr. of the Bucks.

    6.5 Jackson is averaging 6.5 fouls per 36 minutes despite not being whistled once in nearly 25 minutes against Cleveland on November 6th.

    Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing?

    Yes. Wednesday’s initial injury report listed Giannis Antetokounmpo as questionable with a right adductor muscle strain, but during his pregame availability, Rivers confirmed Antetokounmpo would play against the Jazz.

    What is the Bucks’ record without Giannis?

    0-1: Antetokounmpo had to sit out Monday’s loss in Cleveland. Last year, the Bucks went 4-5 when he wasn’t on the roster.

    • Khris Middleton is out (surgery on both ankles)
    • Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (right adductor strain)

    Bucks starting lineup

    • Guards: Damian Lillard, Andre Jackson Jr.
    • Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince
    • Center: Brook Lopez

    Jazz starting lineup

    • Guards: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton
    • Forwards: Lauri Markkanen, Cody Williams
    • Middle: Walker Kessler

    The Bucks and Cavs kick off at 7:00 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks.

    Bucks vs. Jazz odds, over/under

    According to BetMGM, the Bucks are the 8.5-point favorite over the Jazz and the over/under is 230.5 points.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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