SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – When rookie Donovan Mitchell spun by Giannis Antetokounmpo and made a layup in the fourth quarter, he felt like he was walking on air.
“When I made that move on him, I started smirking just because he’s an All-Star and it’s cool to make that sort of play on a guy like that,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell scored 24 points and the Utah Jazz made a season-high 18 3-pointers in a 121-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
Mitchell, who made a career-high six 3s, had 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Jazz broke open the game and finished with a season-best 56.8 percent shooting from the field.
When Antetokounmpo was announced in the starting lineup after he was questionable with a sore knee, Mitchell lit up because of the respect he has for the “Greek Freak”.
“I was watching him when I was in college. He’s been dominating and it’s really impressive what he’s been doing,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell has been impressing as well and made even difficult plays look easy against Milwaukee, including a desperation 28-foot jumper to beat the shot clock that kept Utah ahead by double digits midway through the final period.
Rodney Hood scored 21 and Derrick Favors added 16 for the Jazz, who have defeated the Bucks seven times in a row.
Antetokounmpo had 27 points and 13 rebounds after missing the last game, but showed frustration several times during the contest as the Bucks played from behind most of the game.
Clippers 97, Kings 95
In Sacramento, Blake Griffin made a 10-foot jumper with 3.2 seconds remaining and had a season-high 33 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers over the Sacramento Kings, 97-95.
The Clippers squandered a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead, but Griffin gave them a second straight victory to end their five-game road trip.
“We’ll take the wins however we can get them,” said Griffin, who made 13 of 25 shots and added five assists. “We can play with anyone, no matter how banged up we are.”
It’s been a difficult time for the Clippers in the post-Chris Paul era. After opening the season with four straight wins, injury-plagued LA has dropped 11 of 12 games before winning their last two.
NBA Results: Sunday’s Games
San Antonio 106, Charlotte 86
Philadelphia 130, Orlando 111
Portland 108, Washington 105
Toronto 112, Atlanta 78
Boston 108, Indiana 98
Houston 117, New York 102
Dallas 97, Oklahoma 81
Golden State 110, New Orleans 95
Utah 121, Milwaukee 108
LA Clippers 97, Sacramento 95
