The Milwaukee Bucks are not only looking to improve on a 15-win season from a year ago, but they want to be competitive in every game they play.
The Bucks built a 24-point lead in the 3rd quarter last night, then ended up giving it back, falling to the Charlotte Hornets 108-106 in the regular season opener at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.
Hornets point guard Kemba Walker scored the game-tying three-pointer with 1.6 seconds left to play in regulation to force overtime. The Bucks had a chance to win in overtime but Khris Middleton’s wide open three-point shot bounced off the back of the rim.
Brandon Knight had 22 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds as the bucks took a 74-50 lead with 6:43 left in the third quarter. O.J. Mayo and Khris Middleton added 17 points each and Larry Sanders and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 10 points each for the Bucks.
Rookie first round draft pick Jabari Parker had eight points in 37 minutes in his NBA debut.
Kemba Walker had 26 points, Marvin Williams added 19 and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 17 to lead the way for the Hornets. The Bucks held Hornets big man Al Jefferson to 14 points.
The Bucks were out-rebounded 50-35 and the Hornets pulled down 15 offensive rebounds.
The Bucks return to action on Friday night when the face the Philadelphia 76ers in their home opener at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.