Victory! Brunson scores 44+5+6, Antetokounmpo gets 24+13, Towns sets a record, the Eastern Conference landscape changes
On January 13, 2025, Beijing time, the Knicks with a record of 25 wins and 14 losses faced off against the Bucks with a record of 20 wins and 16 losses at home. The Knicks suffered a 25-point defeat to the Thunder in their previous game and lost four out of their last five games, so they urgently needed a rebound. The Bucks were on a three-game winning streak and in good form. This was the second meeting between the two teams this season. In their first encounter, the Knicks defeated the Bucks by 22 points. For the Bucks, they were eager to seek revenge today. Who would win this battle? The Bucks' starting lineup was Lillard + Jackson + Prince + Antetokounmpo + Big Lo, while the Knicks' starting lineup was Brunson + Bridges + Hart + OG + Towns.
In the first quarter, Jackson made a layup, Antetokounmpo made 2 free throws and 1, Towns and Bridges made three-pointers, giving the Knicks a 6-0 lead. Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Jackson scored, while Brunson scored 8 consecutive points, putting the Knicks ahead 14-9. Lillard scored 7 consecutive points and Antetokounmpo made free throws, allowing the Bucks to take a 3-point lead. Achiwa and Brunson responded to regain a 2-point lead. Antetokounmpo and Green scored, but Towns and Brunson responded, keeping the gap at 2 points. Antetokounmpo, Connaughton, and Middleton scored, while Brunson continued to score, ending the first quarter with the Knicks leading 36-33. Brunson set a personal scoring record for the season with 23 points in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Portis and Big Lo scored, but Towns and McBride responded strongly, giving the Knicks a 5-point lead. Lillard made 4 free throws, while Payne and Towns responded, extending the lead to 7 points. Middleton, Lillard, Beichem, and Portis scored, but Towns made a layup and Payne scored consecutively, increasing the lead to 13 points. Big Lo made a layup, but Hart and OG responded, making the lead 16 points. Middleton and Connaughton scored, while Brunson scored 4 consecutive points, ending the half with the Knicks leading 75-62. Payne scored 13 points in this quarter, becoming a key player.
In the third quarter, Brunson, OG, and Towns started with a 10-0 run, giving the Knicks a 23-point lead. After a timeout, Prince made a three-pointer, but McBride, Hart, and OG responded, increasing the lead to 27 points. Antetokounmpo and Lillard scored, but Hart, Towns, and OG responded, maintaining a 25-point lead. Antetokounmpo scored consecutively, reducing the lead to 19 points. After another timeout, Green made a three-pointer, reducing the lead to 16 points. OG and Brunson extended the lead back to 21 points. Middleton and Antetokounmpo scored, but Hart made a layup, ending the third quarter with the Knicks leading 108-89.
In the fourth quarter, Portis made a mid-range shot, reducing the lead to 17 points. Brunson, McBride, and Hart scored, while Connaughton and Middleton tried to catch up, but the lead remained at 17 points. Brunson, Towns, and Payne went on a 15-0 run, increasing the lead to 32 points with over 4 minutes left in the game, effectively ending any suspense. Ultimately, the Knicks won big with a score of 140-106 against the Bucks.
Brunson scored 44 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 16-of-26 shooting (5-of-10 from three-point range). Towns scored 30 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists on 10-of-16 shooting, achieving the feat of 30+15 for the sixth time this season, surpassing Jokic's five times to claim the top spot in the league. Payne scored 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Hart had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists, and OG added 11 points and 2 assists.
Antetokounmpo scored 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists on 10-of-21 shooting. Lillard scored 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists on 8-of-17 shooting. Middleton scored 16 points and 5 assists on 7-of-9 shooting. Jackson had 9 points and 3 rebounds, and Portis contributed 8 points and 4 rebounds.
The Knicks have achieved big victories against the Bucks twice this season, changing the landscape of the Eastern Conference. The Bucks, once a powerhouse in the East, are no longer a match for the Cavaliers and the Knicks.