The Milwaukee Bucks stayed hot Friday night, riding a barrage of 3-pointers from Ryan Rollins to a 139-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Rollins drilled a career-high seven 3-pointers and finished with 27 points, adding six assists, four steals and two blocks in a standout all-around performance. Milwaukee won its third straight and sixth in seven games, pulling away in the fourth quarter despite playing without injured star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been sidelined four weeks with a strained right calf.
Newcomer Cam Thomas provided an immediate spark off the bench with 27 points in 21 minutes, while Kevin Porter Jr. added 25. The Bucks carried a 71-65 lead into halftime behind 16 first-half points from Rollins and extended the margin to 103-96 entering the fourth.
Zion Williamson paced New Orleans with 32 points, including 21 in the first half. The Pelicans, playing the first of a home back-to-back, were without leading scorer Trey Murphy III due to a sore right shoulder.
After Williamson’s layup trimmed Milwaukee’s lead to 108-102 early in the fourth, the Bucks responded with a decisive 14-4 run. Pete Nance keyed the spurt with two 3-pointers and a layup, helping Milwaukee put the game out of reach.
Up next:
The Bucks host Toronto on Sunday, while the Pelicans welcome Philadelphia on Saturday night.
