After defeating the struggling Charlotte Hornets at home on Friday night, the shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks were not able to put the Hornets away for the second time in two nights on Saturday.
Saturday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets was clearly going to be more difficult for the Milwaukee Bucks once it was announced that Giannis Antetokounmpo would miss his second game of the season due to right knee soreness.
Even without their young superstar, the Bucks seemed to be on pace to take down a Hornets team that came into the game having lost six of their last seven home games. The Bucks started the third quarter on a 19-2 run that allowed them to build a commanding 18-point lead.
Despite the strong start to the third quarter, the Bucks would not be able to hang on to the lead. The Hornets, fueled by a throwback Dwight Howard game and a great bench performance, stormed back to take the lead.
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Despite a few big plays by Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe, Charlotte would hang on to that lead for a 111-106 victory in front of their home crowd.
Middleton led the Bucks with 31 points on 11-of-24 shooting while Bledsoe and John Henson chipped in 16 points each.
For the Hornets, it was a balanced effort as six players scored in double figures including Howard’s 21.
The Bucks will get a few days off including Christmas Day before returning to action Tuesday against Chicago, but let’s take a look at a few things from Saturday’s game that stood out before we move on.