Bucks book playoff place after 116-104 win over Suns

The Milwaukee Bucks managed to overcome one of the toughest oppositions of the season after defeating Phoenix Suns in their backyard on Tuesday night.

Closing time. pic.twitter.com/D5Rj65P34e

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 15, 2023

For the majority of the game it was pretty equal, but the Bucks snatched the lead midway through the fourth quarter and finished of the match in style to defeat the Suns 116-104. They become the first team to clinch a playoff spot and the first team to reach 50 wins.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points while Brook Lopez added another 21. The Bucks have won 21 of their past 23 games in an impressive run of form. The Suns, on the other hand, have lost three games in succession.

More on this topic:

Suns inking Jones to fill point guard vacancy

The Suns trailed by nine points at halftime but cut the gap back to 85-84 heading to the fourth after Devin Booker hit a mid-range jumper at the third quarter buzzer.

Cam Payne hit back-to-back 3-poInters to put the Suns up 90-87, which was their first lead of the second half. The game stayed tight for the next several minutes but the Bucks took the lead for good when Pat Connaughton hit a corner 3 for a 100-97 advantage with 6:30 remaining.

Antetokounmpo added 11 rebounds and eight assists. Lopez shot 10 of 14 from the field and added 10 rebounds. The Bucks closed the game on a 24-9 run.

“We just mentioned it in the coaches’ locker room to appreciate this,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said after the match.

“Making the playoffs in this league is hard. You should never take anything for granted.”

Up next for the Bucks is a trip to Indiana on Thursday, while the Suns host Orlando on Thursday.