The Milwaukee Bucks opened their NBA preseason on a high, even as they played without Giannis Antetokounmpo against the Miami Heat.
Milwaukee Bucks 103-93 Miami Heat
Milwaukee began its preseason campaign with a victory without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the Bucks drubbed the Miami Heat, 103-93, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on Monday night (Tuesday morning, Manila time).
The Bucks rode an all-around win off the backs of four players who finished in double digit scoring, with Pete Nance leading the way on 15 points built off four triples.
Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. added 11 and 10 markers, respectively, in a victory for Milwaukee despite being widely out-rebounded by Miami. The Bucks had 43 boards while the Heat nabbed 60.
Houston Rockets 122-113 Atlanta Hawks
In the other games, the Houston Rockets drubbed the Atlanta Hawks off of a big game from Alperen Sengun, 122-113, for a 1-0 start to their preseason.
Sengun tallied 19 points, five rebounds, and six assists to pace Houston in the win.
Detroit Pistons 128-112 Memphis Grizzlies
Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham uncorked with 20 points to pace the Detroit Pistons in a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, 128-112, with Ja Morant still inactive for the latter.
Ty Jerome paced Memphis in the losing effort with 16 markers.
San Antonio Spurs 119-88 Guangzhou Loong Lions
Victor Wembanyama, for his part, flirted with the triple-double with nine points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the San Antonio Spurs’ 119-88 victory over the Loong-Lions with the Spurs hosting the Chinese team at the Frost Bank Center.
Loong-Lions featured former Maimi Heat guard Victor Oladipo and he finished with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, five steals, and a block in the losing effort.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.