CHARLOTTE --- Both teams played the second game of a back-to-back. It was the road team that displayed more grit and energy.
The Milwaukee Bucks showed no signs of fatigue as they came from behind and beat the slumping Charlotte Hornets, 105-92 at the Time Warner Cable Arena in downtown Charlotte.
Kris Middelton continued his strong performance and poured in 24 points on 11 of 16 field goals. The 6-foot-7 swingman made mincemeat of every defenders thrown at him. "I've been in a rhythm. Coaches and the guys are letting me play with the ball in my hands more and allow me to make plays for them."
The Hornets started blazing hot, making 5 triples early and led 29-19 after the first period. They would cool off after that, finishing 9-out-of 36 beyond the arc.
The Bucks used a balanced attack to erase their deficit and took the lead at halftime, 52-48. In the third period, Milwaukee dominated in the post and extended their lead by 13 points.
The Hornets tried a last ditch effort to rally at the start of the fourth period as Jeremy Lin scored on two successive possessions and Frank Kaminsky hit a triple to cut the lead down to six. They never got any closer than that as Middleton responded with three consecutive baskets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 14 points and 11 boards, Greg Monroe contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds and Jabari Parker had 15 points for the 18-25 Milwaukee Bucks.
Jeremy Lin had 15 points for the 18-22 Charlotte Hornets, while Marvin Williams added 14.
"Everybody contributed in this game tonight " Buck's interim head coach Joe Puntry was very pleased. "That was a very, very good team win."
On his part, Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said, "We got to look at doing some things differently. We made so many basic mistakes."
The Bucks made 39-out-of 72 field goals (54.2%) while the Hornets shot 33-out-of 87 (38%)
They also outrebounded the Hornets, 46-35.
"We must play harder, harder than the teams we play against," Lin said. " We have to be locked in to the details in terms of game plans."
The Bucks have now won two in a row while the Hornets lost for the ninth time in their last 10 games.
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