Ray Allen

Bucks use size to beat Suns

February 3, 2020 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks returned to their winning ways on Sunday, knocking off the Phoenix Suns 129-108 at Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks lost to Denver on Friday night but pushed their record to 42-7 with Sunday’s win. They remain on pace to reach 70-wins.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and added 19 rebounds and nine assists to lead the way. Khris Middleton added 25 points and Brook Lopez had 17 points to go along with nine blocked shots, which is a career high.

The Suns top offensive threat, Devin Booker, scored 32 points but hit just 2 of 5 from beyond the arc. Deandre Ayton finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds for Phoenix, which has dropped five of their last seven.

The Bucks have won 15 of their last 17 and will return to action Tuesday night in New Orleans against the Pelicans.

Connaughton to dunk in Chicago

Bucks reserve guard Pat Connaughton has been selected to take part in the NBA’s dunk contest as a part of All-Star weekend in Chicago. Connaughton is one of four players selected to participate so far. He joins Lakers center Dwight Howard, as well as Orlando’s Aaron Gordon and Miami’s Derrick Jones Jr.

Connaughton will be just the fourth Bucks player to compete in the dunk competition and first since Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2015. Paul Pressey and Ray Allen are the other two players to compete in that event.

The dunk contest is slated for Saturday night (8 p.m.), February 15 in Chicago.

Middleton to take part in three-point contest

February 6, 2019 By Bill Scott

Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton will take part in NBA All-Star Saturday Night (Feb. 16), squaring off in the three-point shooting contest.

Middleton will become the third Bucks player to participate, joining Ray Allen (2000-02) and Craig Hodges (1986-88) who each appeared in the contest three times. Middleton will seek to become the second-ever winner from the Bucks after Allen won it in 2001.

Devin Booker (Phoenix), Seth Curry (Portland), Stephen Curry (Golden State), Danny Green (Toronto), Joe Harris (Brooklyn), Buddy Hield (Sacramento), Damian Lillard (Portland), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas) and Kemba Walker (Charlotte) will go up against Middleton in this year’s competition. Booker is the defending champion.

In his seventh season, Middleton is averaging a career-high 2.3 three-pointers made per game and is connecting on 38-percent of his three-point attempts. He’s also second on the Bucks with 116 threes made while averaging 17.3 points a game. For his career, Middleton is shooting 38.9-percent from beyond the arc and is currently third on the Bucks’ all-time list for three-point field goals made (679) and attempted (1,735).

In addition to the three-point contest, Middleton will make his first-career appearance in the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17, joining teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo who was selected as a captain and starter for the game. With the Bucks having the best record in the Eastern Conference through Feb. 3, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer and his staff will coach Team Giannis in the All-Star Game.

Kidd, Allen both headed for Basketball Hall of Fame

April 2, 2018 By Bill Scott

Jason Kidd and Ray Allen, two people with Milwaukee Bucks ties, are headed for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Allen is a 10-time all-star and spent his first six-plus seasons with the Bucks and goes down as one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history.

Kidd also had a great career as a point guard and most recently coached the Milwaukee Bucks before being fired during this current season.

Kidd and Allen are joined by Maurice Cheeks, Tina Thompson, coach Lefty Driesell, Charlie Scott, longtime executive Rick Welts, NBA executive Rod Thorn, Katie Smith, the late Ora Mae Washington and Croatian star Dino Radja.

The 2018 class was unveiled before the Final Four semifinals in San Antonio.

Heat jump out to a 3-0 lead on the Bucks

April 25, 2013 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks continue to be no match for the Miami Heat. After a competitive first half Thursday night, Miami pulled away in the second half for a 104-91 victory. Miami now leads the best of 7 series 3-0.

Larry Sanders and Brandon Jennings had 16-points to lead the Bucks. Sanders also added 11-boards. As for Jennings, he shot just 5 of 15 from the field and 1 of 7 from downtown. Monta Ellis was held to single digits for the 2nd straight game. Ellis was 2 of 9 from the field and 1 of 6 from downtown for just 7-points.

Former Bucks guard Ray Allen had a brilliant night for Miami. Allen when 5 of 8 from downtown compiling 23-points to lead the Heat. Lebron James added 22 for the Heat.

Game 4 is schedule for Sunday afternoon, a 2pm tip from the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Miami can wrap up the series with a win.