The Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks have overcome relatively slow starts by pushing down on the gas pedal of late.
Winners in nine of their past 11 games, the Bucks will host the Knicks in an NBA in-season tournament quarterfinal clash on Tuesday.
New York opened the inaugural tournament with a 110-105 setback in Milwaukee on Nov. 3, but has since won 10 of its 13 games since.
The winner of Tuesday’s contest advances to the semifinals on Thursday and will face the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Damian Lillard scored 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 22 to go along with eight rebounds and six assists in the Bucks’ first meeting with the Knicks.
Antetokounmpo recorded his first triple-double of the season and 36th overall Saturday to pace Milwaukee to a 132-121 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
The two-time NBA MVP collected 32 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to fuel the Bucks to their eighth straight win at home and avenge their lone loss at home this season.
Lillard contributed 25 points and nine assists for Milwaukee, which benefited from a game-ending 18-7 run.
Jalen Brunson executed well in the Knicks’ first encounter with the Bucks, erupting for 45 points on 17-of-30 shooting from the floor. He added 22 points and eight assists in New York’ 119-106 road victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Fellow Villanova product Donte DiVincenzo added 21 points off the bench on 7-of-10 shooting versus the Raptors. DiVincenzo wasn’t alone, as New York received strong performances from fellow non-starters Josh Hart (17 points, eight rebounds) and Immanuel Quickley (10 points).
Julius Randle collected 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists against Toronto. He had 16, 12 and five, respectively, in the first meeting with Milwaukee.
