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The Milwaukee Bucks hold off the Phoenix Suns to clinch a playoff berth

The Milwaukee Bucks survived a tight duel with the Phoenix Suns to clinch a playoff seat.
Matthew Dugandzic|
The Milwaukee Bucks hold off the Phoenix Suns to clinch a playoff berth
The Milwaukee Bucks hold off the Phoenix Suns to clinch a playoff berth

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Milwaukee BucksPhoenix Suns

The Milwaukee Bucks became the first team to make the playoffs this season, surviving a hard-fought contest to prevail over the Phoenix Suns, 116-104 on Tuesday night.

Giannis leads the way

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 36 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, one block, and a steal, while Brook Lopez had his own double-double of 21 points and ten boards as the Bucks snatched their 21st win in the past 23 games to secure a playoff spot.

Milwaukee improved to 50-19, increasing their lead over the 47-22 Boston Celtics for the number one spot in the Eastern Conference team standings.

Jrue Holiday (12 points), Jae Crowder (11), and Bobby Portis Jr. (11) also scored in double figures to add a combined 34 points for the Bucks, who pocketed their second win in two nights after also winning in Sacramento, 133-124, on Monday night.

Big win

Milwaukee ended the first half with a 57-48 lead, but the Suns rallied in the third and moved within a point, 85-84, entering the final quarter. Phoenix sustained its momentum early in the fourth when Cam Payne dropped two straight triples that put the Suns ahead, 90-87.

The Bucks regained the lead, 97-95, on a three-pointer by Jevon Carter at the 7:56 mark. Milwaukee would never relinquish the upper hand from that point on as it went to post leads of as many as 10 points inside the final two minutes. The Bucks actually ended the game on a 24-9 run to take the fight out of skidding Phoenix.

Devin Booker did the heavy lifting for the Suns and finished with 30 points. Deandre Ayton added 16 points for Phoenix, which suffered its third straight loss to fall to 37-32.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.