NBA highlights on Dec. 17: Antetokounmpo sets another franchise record

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Houston Rockets 128-119 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Sunday, securing their fourth straight win and rising to the second place in the Eastern Conference.

Giannis Antetokounmpo shot 10-for-22 from the field to score a double-double of 26 points and 17 rebounds for the Bucks and grabbed the 7,162nd rebound of his career in the game, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time rebound leader in franchise history. He also leads in all-time scoring and assists, becoming the fourth NBA player to lead on all three fronts of a team after Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls), Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) and LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers).

The Rockets had no one to match Antetokounmpo in size or power, but their quick switching and help defense caused a lot of trouble for him both in finishing and orchestrating. The "Greek Freak" missed eight of his 16 shots in the restricted area and committed turnovers.

Damian Lillard made the biggest offensive contribution for the Bucks with a double-double of 39 points and 11 assists, setting a new career high in points as a Buck. It was the ninth time he got at least 30 points since he came to Milwaukee. He went 5-for-6 in field goals (FGs) to score 15 points and five assists in the first quarter, getting at least 15 points and five assists in one single quarter for the 13th time in his career.

Both Antetokounmpo and Lillard faced maximum defensive efforts by the opponents in the final period, but Khris Middleton stood out for the Bucks, contributing 14 of his 20 points in this quarter alone. He drained four of his seven jumpers and shot 5-for-5 at the free throw line.

The Rockets had six players reach double-digit points, including all five starters. Dillon Brooks and the team's head coach Ime Udoka were tossed out of the game at the end of the fourth quarter with consecutive technical fouls. The loss aside, they had good reasons to be upset about referee calls on Sunday night.

For example, Brooks was elbowed by Brook Lopez in the face in the first period when Lopez drove toward the rim. The referee ruled it as a no-foul. Then in the third quarter, Brooks hit Pat Connaughton in the face with his elbow when he broke into the paint. He was given an offensive call. Moreover, though the Bucks were called two more fouls by the Rockets (23-21), they earned 11 more free throws (32-21) than the Rockets.

Other games on Sunday (away teams come first):

Orlando Magic 97-114 Boston Celtics

The Celtics beat the Magic for the second time within three days at their home court in TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, after the road win at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, on December 15. This was their fifth straight win and the 14th consecutive win at home. The team has so far been undefeated at TD Garden this season.

All five starters of the Celtics scored double-digit points, led by the 31 of Jaylen Brown. He and Jayson Tatum combined to knock down nine triples out of 14 attempts. Paolo Banchero had game-high 36 points for the Magic, but he only had one teammate, Kalen Suggs, who got more than 10 points in the game.

New Orleans Pelicans 146-110 San Antonio Spurs

The Pelicans drained a franchise record 22 triples out of 42 attempts at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, to extend their winning streak to season-high four games. C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram combined to shoot 11-for-14 from downtown. Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy III and Naji Marshall all knocked down plural triples at over 40 percent in Sunday's game.

Washington Wizards 108-112 Phoenix Suns

Golden State Warriors 118-114 Portland Trail Blazers