NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Jason Kidd wasn’t going to discount the performance of his young Milwaukee Bucks squad simply because it came against the winless New Orleans Pelicans.
When a coach sees six of his players score in double digits, three players grab 10 or more rebounds and five guys playing effective team defense in the clutch, on the road, it’s hard to be critical.
“They all competed,” Kidd said. “We do not win if we don’t play defense well. I thought we made plays. We made the stops.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo capped a 24-point, 10-rebound performance with a pivotal 3-pointer with 1:34 to go, Jabari Parker added 21 points, and the Bucks defeated the Pelicans 117-113 on Tuesday night.
“We shared the ball,” Kidd said. “We got those open shots.”
Anthony Davis scored 35 points - the third time he has scored at least that many - to go with 15 rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals. But once again, it was not enough for New Orleans, which has dropped its first four games, including three at home.
“We can’t get a win. It’s frustrating,” Davis said. “But whatever we need to do, we need to do it fast.”
Milwaukee rookie Malcolm Brogdon had his best game yet, scoring 14 points - 10 in the second half. Tony Snell had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, while Rashad Vaughn scored 12 points and Matthew Dellavedova had 11 points and eight assists.
“Tonight was the first night that we really trusted our offense and executed what we practice,” Brogdon said. “We stuck to the game plan and played like a team all the way through.”
The Bucks looked to pound the ball inside and the Pelicans offered little resistance. Milwaukee scored 58 points in the paint, compared to 38 for New Orleans - which annoyed Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry.
“There’s just no excuse for not talking defensively and we talked about the fact that when you play this team, they’re going to drive the ball,” Gentry said. “They got half of their points in the paint. We’ve got to do a better job.”
The Bucks also outrebounded the Pelicans 50-42.
Tim Frazier had 20 points and nine assists for New Orleans, while Solomon Hill added 18 points and E’Twaun Moore had 17. Hill and Moore combined to shoot 6 of 10 from 3-point range. Rookie Buddy Hield, the NBA’s sixth overall draft pick, scored 10 points, but was just 1 of 6 from 3-point range.
“We’re not worried about the offensive part,” Davis said. “Defense is where we’ve got to become better and is starts with communication.”
TIP-INS
Bucks: New Orleans native Greg Monroe was productive off the bench for the Bucks, grabbing 11 rebounds to go with six points, six assists and a block in less than 18 minutes. … G Jason Terry, who missed Milwaukee’s previous two games because of a death in the family, was back with the team in New Orleans but did not play.
Pelicans: After making five of their first seven 3-point attempts, the Pelicans missed nine straight before finishing 9 of 26 from long range. … Davis continued to average nearly a point per minute on the court this season. He played 37 minutes against Milwaukee.
BLOSSOMING ROOKIE
Kidd praised the poise and production Brogdon brought to the Bucks in only his fourth regular season game.
“We trust Malcolm when he’s on the floor,” Kidd said. “He’s going to make some rookie mistakes, but no one panics - he doesn’t panic. He keeps playing and every time he’s on the floor, he gets better.”
Brogdon said coaches and teammates have helped his confidence through the faith they show in him. “My team is always talking to me and it’s just very helpful when you have people that believe in you and want you to do well.”
MOMENTUM SWINGS
The Pelicans led by as many as nine points early, but the Bucks took a 12-point lead in the third quarter when Antetokounmpo’s layup made it 74-62.
New Orleans responded with an 11-0 run that began with Moore’s 3 and ended with Hill’s 3, but the Bucks rebuilt a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter with a 13-4 run that included Brogdon’s dunk and his 3-pointer.
The Pelicans got as close as 114-112 on Davis’ floater with 1:46 left, but Antetokounmpo hit his late 3 and New Orleans didn’t recover.
UP NEXT
Bucks: Host Indiana on Thursday night.
Pelicans: Visit Memphis on Wednesday night.
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