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Charlotte Hornets finish 4-2 road trip with win over Bucks

Apr 9, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) reaches for the ball controlled by Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3)  during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Miles Bridges scored 26 points and the Charlotte Hornets wrapped up a key road swing with a 127-119 victory against the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.

The backcourt duo of Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier each supplied 20 points as the Hornets went 4-2 on the trip.

The Bucks played their third straight game without star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s dealing with knee soreness. They’re 3-4 this season when he hasn’t played. Milwaukee played without its four top scorers — and five players who average in double-figures scoring this season.

Jalen McDaniels aided Charlotte’s attack with 19 points, P.J. Washington had 18 points, and reserve center Cody Zeller contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Graham took only 3-point shots, making 6 of 12. Bridges made four 3-pointers and Rozier each and Washington hit three apiece. Charlotte was 19 of 50 from long range.

The Bucks have dropped three games in a row. They’re 3-6 in their last nine games.

Rookie Jordan Nwora led Milwaukee with 24 points. Jeff Teague tacked on 19 points, followed by Bryn Forbes (18), rookie Sam Merrill (13), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (12) and rookie Mamadi Diakite (10). Bobby Portis had 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bucks were also without Jrue Holiday (left knee), Khris Middleton (right knee), Brook Lopez (back) and Donte DiVincenzo (right hip) sitting out.

Lopez didn’t play for the first time this season after starting the other 51 games. Middleton and DiVincenzo both had 50 starts. Newcomer P.J. Tucker remains out with a calf ailment.

While much of the offensive firepower was missing for the Bucks, they also had trouble at the defensive end. Charlotte scored at least 32 points in each of the first three quarters.

The Hornets, who had lost in their last six visits to Milwaukee, were racking up assists. They finished with 35 assists on 44 field goals.

The Hornets made 10 shots from 3-point range in the first half in building a 66-55 lead. Bridges scored 17 points. Charlotte was 14-for-14 on first-half free throws, helping overcome the impact of nine turnovers.

Milwaukee shot only 39.6 percent in the first half, and 31.6 percent from long range.

–Field Level Media

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