© Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard debut as teammates, help the Milwaukee Bucks top the LA Lakers
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard finally played together as teammates, and the duo made an instant impact as they led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 108-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at crypto.com Arena on Sunday night.
The two superstars played a combined 37 minutes, and both scored in double figures as the Bucks picked up their second win in three preseason games.
Productive night for Giannis, Dame
Acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal, Lillard played 22 minutes and finished with 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Dame went 3-for-10 from the field, including a 2-of-7 clip from the three-point area.
Giannis played for just 15 minutes and ended up with 16 points on a hot 7-10 shooting night from the field. The Greek Freak also added eight boards, an assist, and two blocks.
Antetokounmpo played only in the first half, while Lillard was subbed out at the 4:41 mark of the third period, and the Bucks were ahead, 74-66.
Third-quarter breakaway
The Bucks trailed the Lakers for most part of the first half, but they seized the lead for good, 55-53, when Lillard hit a layup while being fouled by Christian Wood with 48.1 seconds left in the second quarter.
Milwaukee took full control of the contest in the third, where Lillard contributed three points, an assist, and a steal.
Milwaukee led by as many as 11 points in the third and did not let up in the fourth when they achieved the game’s biggest lead at 13. Brook Lopez joined Giannis, Dame, Jae Crowder, and Malik Beasley in the starting unit and scored 11 points.
Cam Payne, Pat Connaughton, and Bobby Portis Jr. also scored in double figures in reserve roles. The trio combined for 34 points.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 16 points, while D’Angelo Russell added 11. LeBron James sat out for the Lakers, who fell to 2-3 in the preseason.
