The NBA warm-up game was held today on the second day of the event. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Milwaukee Bucks to make their first preseason victory. Although Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 25 points and 10 rebounds in double ten, the Lone Ranger scored more points. Luka Doncic scored 13 points, Maxi Kleber had 13 points and 7 rebounds. The Lone Ranger established the lead by relying on the offensive in the third quarter and topped it. The opponent counterattacked the Milwaukee Bucks 112-102 away.
New Bucks player Jrue Holiday made his debut. Khris Middleton was very active after the start of the game. He scored 8 points and led the team to a 15-9 lead. The Mavericks’ offense improved after being replaced by the bench. Rookies Josh Green and Kleber teamed up to catch up with 4 points. Antetokounmpo received a dunk. Trey Burke hit the buzzer with a backward jumper. 19-21 behind.
After the start of the second quarter, the two teams scored alternately, Richardson hit a three-pointer, and the Mavericks tied 33-33 in the middle of the quarter. DJ Augustin hit back with a 3-pointer and led the team to a 7-3 spurt, and the Bucks took the lead again. Josh Richardson and Dorian Finney-Smith made three-pointers for the Mavericks to overtake again. Antetokounmpo scored 9 points and the Bucks led 53-45 at 1:35 before halftime. Doncic scored 2 three-pointers in a row, Antetokounmpo responded with a three-pointer, and the Bucks led 59-53 by 6 points at halftime.
Antetokounmpo of the Bucks had 23 points and 8 rebounds in the first half, Middleton had 13 points, Bobby Portis had 10 points and 7 rebounds; Doncic of the Mavericks had 13 points.
Burke opened fire after the start of the third quarter, and Kleber scored 7 points alone. Kleber also hit a three-pointer. They led the team to a 14-2 counterattack to start the game. The Mavericks went 67-61 with 6 points. After the Bucks timeout, Donte DiVincenzo layup to stop the bleeding, Middleton hit another three-pointer, and the Bucks chased to 70-71. Kleber made another effort to score 5 points to help the team open again. Middleton made two free throws. Marjanovic made 3 points. Nate Hinton also scored 5 points. The Mavericks scored 87- with 1 minute and 30 seconds left in the quarter. 72 leads by 15 points. Portis made a layup and the Mavericks led 91-74 with 17 points.
Tyrell Terry opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer. Wilson led the team with a three-pointer to chase for 8 points. The Bucks trailed 82-94. Marjanovic was unstoppable on the inside, and he even scored 6 points for the Lone Ranger team to stabilize the situation. Wilson and Merrill teamed up with 5 points to close the gap again. Patterson hit a three-pointer and the Mavericks led 107-92 with 4:55 in the fourth quarter. The Bucks did not give up their efforts. They chased 8 points in a row and approached again. Hinton successfully stabilized the situation with 3 points. The Mavericks won 112-102.
The Mavericks’ Doncic had 13 points and 4 assists, Kleber had 13 points and 7 rebounds, Brunson had 10 points and 4 assists, Marjanovic had 9 points and 5 rebounds, and Richardson had 9 points. Antetokounmpo had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, Middleton had 18 points and 4 assists, Portis had 14 points and 13 rebounds, Wilson had 14 points, and Holiday had 4 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
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