Bobby Portis played a pivotal role for the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, scoring 25 points off the bench as they secured a 123-113 victory against the Charlotte Hornets. This win marks the Bucks’ first consecutive victories since late October. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed significantly with 24 points and seven assists, while Myles Turner added 23 points and Kevin Porter Jr. provided 15 points and 11 assists.
Despite their smaller size, the Hornets had a strong first half, leading 66-63 at halftime. However, the Bucks flipped the momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Charlotte 32-23. With just three minutes left in the game, the Hornets managed to pull within five points, but the Bucks capitalized on their height advantage. They effectively utilized their frontcourt strength by feeding the ball to Turner and Antetokounmpo for crucial baskets.
Brandon Miller stood out for the Hornets, registering 31 points and eight rebounds, while LaMelo Ball added 26 points. The Hornets were already challenged by injuries to key players Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner. Their woes were compounded when forward Miles Bridges exited the game with an ankle injury sustained in the first quarter. Bridges attempted to continue playing but re-injured himself while defending a three-point attempt, further depleting the Hornets’ lineup.
The Bucks will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, while the Hornets will aim to bounce back against the Golden State Warriors on the same night.