Missing two stars, Bucks Edge Wolves on late FTS

On By Littum

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks on Minnesota TimberwolvesFebruary 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves Center Naz Reid (11) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks Frem Kyle Kuzma (18) in the second quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Misted Pictures

Brook Lopez sank a couple of free kicks with 10.9 seconds to walk, and Milwaukee Bucks held on with a 103-101 win over Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

Gary Trent Jr. Ended with 21 points from the bench for Milwaukee, who jumped back from a home loss against Golden State Warriors on Monday. Kyle Kuzma recorded a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Anthony Edwards scored 28 points, but missed 23 of 33 shots to Minnesota, who lost his other straight. Naz Reid (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Rudy Gobert (20 points, 14 rebounds) each recorded a double-double.

Milwaukee shot 44.3 percent (39 of 88) overall and 40 percent (12 of 30) beyond the arch. Minnesota shot 37.9 percent (39 out of 103) from the field and 22.7 percent (10 of 44) from the range of 3-point.

Reid made a 3-pointer to give Timberwolves a 101-99 lead with 47.6 seconds left.

At the next possession, Kevin Porter Jr. Against the edge of a floating jump shot to tie the scoring of 101-all along with 38.4 seconds left. Porter Jr. Ended with 11 points in his second game since he came to Milwaukee.

Edwards missed a 3-pointer on the next possession and Kuzma grabbed rebound. The ball went to Lopez, who was buried and quietly sank his two free kicks.

Milwaukee played without his top two scorers. Giannis Antetokounmpo remained out because of a veal tribe, and Damian Lillard joined him on the sidelines due to a tender hamstring.

Timberwolves pulled 70-69 at the end of the third quarter.

Edwards made a layup to put Minnesota ahead with four with 1:09 back in the third quarter. AJ Green buried a 3-pointer to trim Bucks’ deficit to a point with 36.3 seconds to play in the period.

Bucks led 51-50 at the break.

Milwaukee led by as many as 16 in the first half. Trent Jr. Drained a pull-up jump shot to put Bucks on top 44-28 with 9:12 back in half.

Reid made a running layup 15 seconds later on the next possession to cut the deficit to 44-30. It triggered a 22-7 race for Minnesota to finish the first half.

-Felt level media