MILWAUKEE — The Nets started fighting back late, but had no answers for Damian Lillard on both ends of the floor.
On Thursday night, the Milwaukee Bucks capitalized on the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-108, with Lillard scoring 30 points and dishing out 12 assists, including two steals late in the game.
Lillard scored 30 or more points in three straight games and made two big plays on the opposite side of the floor.
Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Nic Claxton scored 22 points, and Cam Thomas scored 21 points for the Nets, who lost their fifth straight game.
After the Nets overcame a 20-point deficit to take the lead, Lillard’s first of two late steals led to the winning basket.
“I don’t think I was known as a defender during my career, but as the game went on, I was always able to take chances and do what I needed to do defensively at the end of the game.” said Lillard, who has averaged 31 points and 11.3 assists over the past three games.
But the Nets almost stole this one.
Trailing by 20 points late in the second quarter and 18 early in the third, the Nets outscored the Bucks 21-6 in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the final period to extend their lead.
“Even though we didn’t get the win, I truly believe we improved tonight,” Nets interim coach Kevin Ollie said. “That’s the message I’ve been giving them since I took office. I just want them to grow.”
Antetokounmpo missed two games with a left hamstring issue, but had 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
“I try to control what I can control,” Antetokounmpo said. “Things like this will continue to come up from time to time. It was a little unexpected, but at the end of the day, these cards were dealt to you, so you just have to keep understanding it and push through the pain and overcome adversity. I just have to get over it and keep playing.”
The Bucks rested Khris Middleton the night after he played 33 minutes in a 122-119 loss to Boston as he continues to manage his workload as he recovers from a sprained left ankle.
Cam Johnson made a 3-pointer with 6:58 remaining, giving Brooklyn an 87-88 lead and giving the Nets their first lead since 11-9.
Dennis Smith Jr. followed with a steal and basket to make it 90-87 with 6:41 left.
With six minutes remaining, Antetokounpumou hit a 3-pointer to tie the score, and the game went back and forth from there.
Lillard got a steal to start the fastbreak and the score was tied at 96.
This sequence allowed Antetokounmpo to score on the other side of the floor despite being fouled.
Antetokounmpo made the next free throw, completing a three-point play with 3:36 remaining.
Milwaukee twice extended the lead to five points, but the Nets cut the lead to 103-101 on Bridges’ 3-pointer with 2:17 left.
After Antetokounmpo missed a shot, the Nets held the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead.
Dennis Smith Jr. drove into the lane, but Lillard stole the ball and headed it upcourt, where Malik Beasley made a corner 3-pointer to make it 106-101 with 1:37 left.
Lillard then scored the next five points, including a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left, to seal the victory.
“Dame’s defense tonight was phenomenal the entire game,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “He’s a very competitive guy and you saw that tonight.”
