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| - Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 41 points as Milwaukee notched another dominant NBA victory, but the Bucks' streak of 100-point games ended at 83 with their 93-85 victory over the Hornets in Charlotte. With reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo leading the way, the Bucks have won six straight games since the All-Star break. They've stretched their league-leading record to 52-8, clinched a playoff berth in historic style and remain on course for 70 wins this season. They never trailed in the second half against the Hornets, although for the first time since February 23, 2019 the Bucks failed to score in triple digits in a regular-season game. Antetokounmpo scored the Bucks' last seven points to seal the game and added 20 rebounds and six assists in 34:55 minutes on the floor. Brook Lopez added 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks and George Hill chipped in 11 points off the bench as All-Star Khris Middleton missed his second straight game with a sore neck. Fifteen Bucks turnovers in the first three quarters helped the Hornets keep it close. Charlotte trailed by just two entering the final quarter But Antetokounmpo seized control in the waning minutes, putting the Bucks up 88-83 with a turnaround jump shot. He then pulled down an offensive rebound, drew a foul and made two free throws and drove for another layup. Later Sunday, the Western Conference leading Los Angeles Lakers tried to bounce back from a loss to the Grizzlies at Memphis when they took on rising star Zion Williamson and the Pelicans in New Orleans. Lakers star LeBron James scored 19 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds against the Grizzlies on Saturday after missing a game with a sore left groin. The Los Angeles Clippers, tied with Denver for second in the West -- 5.5 games behind the Lakers -- were also in action Sunday, hosting a Philadelphia 76ers team trying to maintain position in the East despite the injury absences of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. bb/rcw
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