Pro Sports

Rozier, Ball lead Hornets to back-to-back wins vs. Bucks

Posted January 10, 2022 6:00 am

By STEVE REED

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket past Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - LaMelo Ball hit the go-ahead basket with 15 seconds left, Terry Rozier scored 27 points and the Charlotte Hornets beat the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks for the second time in three nights, 103-99 on Monday night.

Ball scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half, and Miles Bridges added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who have won six of eight games and improved to 12-5 at home.

Khris Middleton had 27 points and 11 assists, and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for the Bucks, who also lost 114-106 to the Hornets on Saturday night.

The Bucks battled back from the 15 down in the third quarter to tie it when Antetokounmpo scored on a drive through the lane with 38.8 seconds left and drew a foul. He missed the free throw, but Wesley Matthews got the tip-in to tie it.

Ball took control when he drove across the lane, sweeping the ball above his head before launching an off-balance 10-foot runner to give the Hornets (22-19) the lead.

The Bucks (26-17) turned the ball over the next possession. Antetokounmpo drove the lane and tried to dish to Pat Connaughton in the corner but instead threw the ball over his head and out of bounds with 3.3 seconds left.

Bridges then sank two free throws to seal Charlotte's win.

The Bucks led 48-47 at the break as the teams combined to shoot 38% from the floor in the first half.

The Hornets came out of the break hot, surging ahead by 15 behind Ball's 16 third-quarter points, including a 3 off the glass from the wing and a step-back 3 from the top of the key off a fast break.

Rozier was 4 of 11 from 3-point range, marking the seventh time in the last eight games he has made at least four 3s. He is shooting 47.6% (40 of 84) from long distance during that stretch.

TIP INS

Bucks: Connaughton returned for Milwaukee, but Grayson Allen and George Hill remained in the health and safety protocols. Connaughton struggled, missing all six shot attempts including five from long distance.

Hornets: Played without top reserve Kelly Oubre Jr., who entered the league's health and safety protocols on Monday. Oubre was averaging 25 points over his last two games.

UP NEXT

Bucks: Host Golden State on Thursday night.

Hornets: At Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) drives to the basket while guarded by Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) drives to the basket while guarded by Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington (25) guards Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) tries to shoot while guarded by Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) brings the ball upcourt against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) fouls Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) is guarded by Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) loses the ball while driving to the basket past Charlotte Hornets forwards Cody Martin (11) and P.J. Washington (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The Associated Press

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