BUCKS 'FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS'

Their preferred starters give Doc weapons’, most connected game’ against Thunder

LOS ANGELES - In a showdown of National Basketball Association (NBA) title contenders, the Milwaukee Bucks went guns blazing as their "weapons" humbled the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-93 at Fiserv Forum on March 24.

It was the first time since Jan 31 that they had their preferred starting line-up of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Malik Beasley after injuries robbed the two-time NBA champions of their star players over the past few months.

Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds. Middleton had his second career triple-double - and first since 2018 - with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Bucks, whose defensive effort kept the Thunder to a season-low point production on 37.1 per cent shooting.

"With a full team out there, we realise what we can do as a team," said Middleton. "We have so many guys, so many weapons that can carry us, or guys that can make a play or just attract a crowd.

"My teammates were knocking down a lot of shots for me. It was a good win against a good team. But we've got to keep building on this for the rest of the season."