Myles Turner hit a 3-pointer to open overtime and the host Milwaukee Bucks never looked back, outlasting the Charlotte Hornets 147-134 in a back-and-forth NBA Cup East Group C game on Friday.
The Bucks, who never led by more than seven in regulation, outscored the Hornets 18-5 in overtime to improve to 2-0 and remain the lone unbeaten team in Group C. Charlotte is the only 0-2 team in Group C.
The teams combined for 11 ties and 32 lead changes before the Bucks pulled away in the extra session.
Miles Bridges answered Turner’s 3-pointer with a floater before Turner hit another 3-pointer to start an 8-0 run that ended with Kyle Kuzma sinking a 3-pointer to extend the Bucks’ lead to 140-131 with 1:49 left. It was the first time the teams were separated by more than six points since the Hornets led 78-69 with 9:39 left in the third quarter.
Bridges hit a 3-pointer to end the Bucks’ run and the teams traded empty possessions before Giannis Antetokounmpo scored on consecutive trips to ice the win.
Antetokounmpo, who missed the Bucks’ previous game against the Hornets on Wednesday with a left knee injury, finished with 25 points and 18 assists — two shy of his career-high set April 3. He also added seven rebounds.
Kuzma led the Bucks with 29 points and 10 rebounds while Ryan Rollins scored 20 points. Turner finished with 18 points and AJ Green added 13 for the Bucks, who also got double-digit scoring efforts off the bench from Bobby Portis (12), Cole Anthony (10) and Gary Harris (10).
Bridges and rookie Kon Knueppel had 32 points apiece for the Hornets, who led by as many as 10 in the first half before losing for the fourth time in five games.
LaMelo Ball, who missed the previous five games with a right ankle injury, had 16 points and 10 assists while Moussa Diabate (15 points, 11 rebounds) also posted a double-double. Collin Sexton scored 14 points off the bench while starter Sion James finished with 12.
