© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks get one step away from the #1 record in the NBA with a win over the Wizards
Milwaukee stretched its NBA-best record to 57-22, and coupled with a loss by the Boston Celtics on the same night, a top seeding in the East is within reach for the Bucks.
Shortly after the Bucks dominated the Wizards, the Celtics lost to the Philadelphia Sixers, 103-101. Boston dropped to 54-25, increasing Milwaukee’s lead for the number one spot to three games.
The two teams both have three games left. Boston owns the tiebreakers, meaning the Bucks’ remaining games remain significant.
Another big game for the Greek Freak
Keeping his name firmly in the NBA MVP race, Giannis Antetokounmpo turned in another strong performance as he completed his sixth triple-double of the season with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and ten assists.
Jrue Holiday flirted with a triple-double after finishing with 26 points, ten assists, and nine rebounds.
Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis Jr. were equally outstanding in the win.
Portis came up with 19 points and 20 rebounds, while Lopez collected 20 markers and five blocks in the game that was only close in the early goings.
Second quarter-breakaway
Milwaukee had a slim 48-45 lead midway through the second quarter when it slowly pulled away and closed the half with a 75-62 lead via a 13-5 run.
The Bucks went on to lead by as many as 24 in the second half to deal the Wizards their third straight loss.
Kendrick Nunn paced the Wizards with 24 points, while Johnny Davis added a career-high 20 points.
Washington fell to a three-way tie for 11th place in the Eastern Conference with Orlando and Indiana with identical 34-45 records. The three squads have been eliminated from playoff contention.
