Milwaukee Bucks
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (WSAU) — The Milwaukee Bucks dropped a 138-119 decision to the suddenly surging Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday as they look to end a four-year playoff drought.
Seven players scored in double-figures for the Bucks led by 15 points from three different players; Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Pat Connaughton. Jrue Holiday added 14, Grayson Allen scored 13.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was held out of Saturday’s game. Thanasis did play, contributing ten points and four rebounds.
Minnesota used a flurry of three-pointers in the second half to put the Bucks away. They finished 22/47 from long-range (47%) and shot 47/92 overall (51%). Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards each scored 25 points in the game.
Milwaukee drops to 44-27 with the loss but stays in 3rd place in the East playoff race. Minnesota is now 42-30 and in 7th place in the West, but have moved to within a half-game of the Denver Nuggets for 6th place.
The NBA will once again utilize a play-in tournament for the 7/8 seeds in the playoff bracket. Teams that finish the year in 7th-10th place will participate- with the 7th and 8th-place clubs needing to win just one game to get in the traditional bracket, and those in 9th and 10th place needing to win two games.
The Miami HEAT claimed the first spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs this weekend with a win over Oklahoma City on Friday. With just over ten games remaining for most clubs, just two spots in the 16-team playoff bracket have been clinched (Phoenix and Miami).
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