SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings came out firing in the first quarter, hitting 8-of-12 shots (67 percent) in the first six minutes while holding the Milwaukee Bucks to just 27 percent shooting.
The fiery start allowed the hosts to built an early nine-point lead by the midway mark of the period and finished the first quarter ahead by eight.
The Bucks struggled offensively, shooting under 30 percent, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way with nine points. Keegan Murray paced the Kings with seven.
Milwaukee’s second unit responded at the start of the second quarter, cutting Sacramento’s lead to three with under six minutes remaining in the half. However, Keon Ellis caught fire for the Kings, scoring 18 first-half points and helping them extend their lead to double digits.
Despite an improved offensive showing from the Bucks, Sacramento’s defensive strategy of double-teaming Antetokounmpo proved effective. Brook Lopez kept Milwaukee in the game with 18 points in the first half.
Antetokounmpo found his rhythm in the third quarter, boosting his total to 23 points and 10 rebounds midway through the period while helping cut the deficit to six. He continued his surge, reaching 25 points with three minutes left in the quarter and tying the game at 80.
The game remained a tight battle heading into the final frame where the Bucks maintained their shooting momentum and took a 100-97 lead with under seven minutes to play.
Jake LaRavia responded with a clutch three-pointer to tie the game as the clock approached the six-minute mark.
Down the stretch, both teams leaned on their stars—Antetokounmpo for the Bucks and DeMar DeRozan for the Kings. Milwaukee held a two-point lead with one minute remaining.
Sacramento continued to double-team Antetokounmpo, but the Bucks made them pay, as Gary Trent Jr. found an open look and buried a three-pointer, extending Milwaukee’s lead to five with 24 seconds left.
Zach LaVine had a chance to cut the deficit at the free-throw line but missed both attempts. The Bucks capitalized and secured a hard-fought 114-108 victory.
