NBA: Nets hold off Bucks in low-scoring affair, with one more clash to come

E.J. Liddell scored 21 points to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 96-90 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.

It was Brooklyn’s second consecutive win and their third in the last five games. Ben Saraf added 19 points, while Malachi Smith and Drake Powell each contributed 11 points.

AJ Green led the Bucks with 20 points, including six 3-pointers on 6-for-12 shooting. Taurean Prince finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Cormac Ryan added 14 points. Jericho Sims tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Ousmane Dieng chipped in 10 points and seven boards.

Both teams played short-handed due to injuries. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status remained uncertain, as he expressed readiness to play, but the Bucks have yet to clear him amid an ongoing NBA investigation.

The game was closely contested from the start. The Nets narrowly took the first quarter 30-29, despite Milwaukee shooting 11 of 17 from the floor and 6 of 11 from three-point range, though six turnovers helped Brooklyn stay in front.

The second quarter was low-scoring, with Milwaukee shooting just 6 of 21 from the floor and 1 of 12 from deep, scoring only 14 points. Brooklyn wasn’t much better at 6 of 16 but managed to take a 49-43 lead into halftime.

After another tight third quarter, the Nets held a 70-62 lead heading into the fourth. Milwaukee stayed competitive, closing the gap to two points on a Green 3-pointer with 33 seconds remaining.

Brooklyn secured the win at the free-throw line, finishing 21 of 23, with Saraf making all four attempts after Green’s shot.

The Nets improved to 2-1 against Milwaukee this season in the first matchup since December. The teams will face off again Friday in Milwaukee.

—Field Level Media/Reuters