The Associated Press
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Khris Middleton scored 34 points and Jrue Holiday added 26 to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 133-127 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, making up for the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two-time MVP sat out with right knee soreness one night after scoring 30 points in a defensive struggle against Chicago. The defending NBA champions (30-19) won their third straight game and second in two nights.
Middleton sank a clutch 3-pointer with 1:09 left after the Kings (18-30), who trailed by as many as 15, rallied within three points. After Harrison Barnes converted a layup for the Kings, Holiday threw down a left-handed dunk to give Milwaukee a 126-120 lead with 47.6 seconds remaining.
Donte DiVincenzo added 20 points for the Bucks, who made 21 of 42 3-point attempts one night after shooting 19.4% from behind the arc.
Barnes paced Sacramento with 29 points, and Tyrese Haliburton had 24.
