Nets beat Bucks 118-100 for their EIGHTH straight win as Brooklyn continues to climb the Eastern Conference rankings under Jacque Vaughn
The Nets kept alive the longest winning streak in the NBA Friday night by beating the Bucks 118-100 as every starter scored in double digits and Kevin Durant led the team with 24.
The Nets scored 36 points in a blistering first quarter and led by seven points by the end of the period, with the team never giving up their lead the rest of the way.
Nic Claxton was second on the team with 19 points, while Royce O’Neale (5-8 from three-point range) came in with 17 chips and Kyrie Irving scored 14 of his 18 to end the game.
Ben Simmons also had a strong game for the Nets, recording 12 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals while recording a game-high +26 plus-minus.
Kevin Durant scored 24 points to help the Nets to their eighth straight win
The Nets led by as much as 23 points in the third quarter, but the Bucks ended the quarter down just 10 points as they scared the Nets a bit.
But Brooklyn surpassed their visitors 33-25 and managed to pull their starters with almost three minutes left.
“We just rock,” Irving said after the game.
“Having fun, playing a great brand of basketball, doing the little things and it leads to some wins. And we just want to keep going, we don’t want to take our foot off the accelerator.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 on the night but didn’t score in the fourth quarter for the Bucks, who were without All-Star forward Khris Middleton.
Jrue Holiday’s 18 points and five assists weren’t enough to keep the Bucks from a loss
However, the two-time MVP also had seven turnovers that night as he was slowed down by Simmons.
“I think overall we did a great job as a team to contain him and show him a lot of bodies,” Simmons said.
“And then for me to just be physical. I’m able to come down and meet you, so I’m willing to do that.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points in the game but failed to score in the fourth quarter
Former longtime Net Brook Lopez also put on a show against his ex-team, scoring 23 points while Jrue Holiday had 18 and five assists.
The Bucks (22-10) are just 1.5 games ahead of the Nets (21-12) after the result.
The Nets started the season just 2-5 under former coach Steve Nash but have massively turned around their season since Jacque Vaughn took over the head coaching role.
Kyrie Irving finished with 18 points after scoring 14 in the fourth quarter against Milwaukee
They’re 19-7 since the former assistant took over and will carry that confidence into another tough matchup on Monday at the Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee meets the Celtics at Christmas.
Among the crowds watching for the comfortable win was AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who spoke to Irving after the game.
The legendary forward is enjoying a winter break in Brooklyn after the World Cup.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic sat on the sidelines during the Brooklyn Nets game against Milwaukee