Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard help Bucks end losing streak

The Milwaukee Bucks have climbed out of the NBA cellar.

Thanks to a dominant second half, the Bucks ended their six-game skid Thursday night with a 123-100 win over the Utah Jazz at Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks (2-6) entered the game tied with the Jazz (1-7) and the Philadelphia 76ers (1-6) for the worst record in the league.

Milwaukee won for the first time since the season opener in Philadelphiahe got 34 points from Damian Lillard and 31 points and 16 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

BOX SCORE: $123, Jazz 100

The Bucks remained confident despite the losing streakbut there was no doubt that positive momentum was paramount.

“I think we really needed it,” Lillard said. “This was a team that came in with the same record as us.

“A team that’s struggling, a much younger team than us. They’re coming on our home floor, so it was important for us to not only come off that six-game losing streak and feel like something good, a game to win, but also to focus on this. In the next series of games it was important for us to get back into the win column.”

The Bucks took control in the third quarter, taking an 87-72 lead after a 15-1 run.

The tension in the building eased as Milwaukee made it the rest of the way.

“It feels good, it feels great,” Antetokounmpo said. “We have another one tomorrow (against the Knicks in New York).

“I think we’ll all remember what it feels like when you lose. We don’t want to go back. I think everyone came out, they were extremely locked in. To be able to hear the tone. Especially in the first quarter and the third quarter.”

Jazz three-point shooting is cooling off

The crowd at the Fiserv Forum was tense early in the game as the Jazz led 61-57 at halftime thanks to absurd three-point shooting.

Utah shot 14 for 26 from beyond the arc, with Keyonte George (nine points), Johnny Juzang (12) and Jordan Clarkson (12) all hitting three 3-pointers.

“I think they had three or four offensive rebounds,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “And then we had five bad substitutions and we showed that at half-time.

“You just can’t do all five. We showed them all, which I never do that often. You just can’t do it and our guys did it.”

But the Jazz couldn’t keep up that barrage, missing the first seven three-pointers of the third quarter and finishing seventeenth for a 41.

Giannis Antetokounmpo sets a new team record

With six offensive rebounds against the Jazz, Antetokounmpo has 1,469 for his career to set the franchise record, passing Marques Johnson (1,468).

“Never take anything for granted,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m happy, but I’m even happier that we got a win.”

Antetokounmpo owns the majority of the Bucks’ career numbers, but Khris Middleton’s three-pointers could be out of reach.

“I’m still hunting,” Antetokounmpo joked. “One day it will happen.”

Next up for Antetokounmpo is Quinn Buckner’s steals record of 1,042, which he could reach by the end of next season if he maintains his normal production. Antetokounmpo has 907 steals.

Doc Rivers Adds Andre Jackson Jr. in the starting line-up

Rivers made his first dramatic move with the team’s slow start, with second-year player Andre Jackson Jr. for Gary Trent Jr. was placed in the starting lineup.

“We continue to look for that position to be a good role player and defensive stopper,” Rivers said. ‘Gary has had a hard time too.

“I think Gary will eventually work back. I’m just trying to give him room to breathe and get out of his little thing. Because I know he will.”

Trent has struggled with his shot, going 9 for 39 (23.1%) on three-pointers this season. He played just eight minutes against the Jazz, none in the second half, but Rivers said Trent was dealing with back spasms.

Jackson provided exactly what Rivers was looking for with the starters.

He batted the ball away and had a breakaway dunk to tie the game at 6-6. He had another fastbreak layup to take a 13-9 lead and also threw an alley-oop to Antetokounmpo.

“Exactly what we wanted from him,” Rivers said. “He made plays. He was athletic.

“Defensively, I thought he shutout almost everyone he guarded. He had things in his hands. He got some offensive rebounds. He walked the floor a few times.”

Five figures

36 Bench points for the Jazz in the first half

14 Three-pointers in the first half for Utah, which came into the game averaging 11.3 per game.

1 Shot attempt for Bucks center Brook Lopez in each half. He missed both.

3 First half fouls for Andre Jackson Jr. of the Bucks.

6.5 Jackson is averaging 6.5 fouls per 36 minutes, despite not being called a single foul in nearly 25 minutes against Cleveland on Nov. 6.

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo play?

Yes. On Wednesday’s initial injury report, Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as questionable due to a right adductor strain, but during his pregame availability, Rivers confirmed Antetokounmpo would play against the Jazz.

What is the Bucks record without Giannis?

0-1: Antetokounmpo sat down Monday’s loss in Cleveland. Last year the Bucks went 4-5 when he was out of the lineup.

Khris Middleton, out (surgery on both ankles)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (right adductor strain)

Bucks starting lineup

Guards: Damian Lillard, Andre Jackson Jr.
Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurus Prince
Middle: Brook Lopez

Jazz starting lineup

Guards: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton
Forwards: Lauri Markkanen, Cody Williams
Center: Walker Kessler

The Bucks and Cavs tip off at 7:00 PM CT and the game will air on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.

Bucks vs. Jazz odds, top/bottom

The Bucks are favored by 8.5 points over the Jazz, and the over/under is 230.5 points. according to BetMGM.