Bucks crush Nets on opening night

It’s the matchup many feel will take place in the NBA East finals. Milwaukee certainly hopes so. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 14 rebounds and seven assists on Tuesday as the Bucks opened defense of their NBA title with a 127-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Before the game, the Bucks unveiled their championship banner and handed out rings consisting of 360 diamonds and 4.14 carats of emeralds.

MILWAUKEE—Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 32 points and had 14 rebounds and seven assists Tuesday night as the Bucks opened defense of their NBA title with a 127-104 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets in a matchup many think will comprise the Eastern Conference finals.

Before the game, the Bucks unveiled their championship banner and celebrated their first title since 1971 by handing out rings consisting of 360 diamonds (total wins under this ownership) and 4.14 carats of emeralds (representing Milwaukee’s area code).

On the four-month anniversary of Milwaukee eliminating the Nets in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in Brooklyn, Antetokounmpo dominated.

The NBA Finals Most Valuable Player shot 12-of-25 from the field and converted 7-of-9 free throws in under 31 minutes before leaving to a standing ovation late in the fourth quarter.

Khris Middleton added 20 points and nine rebounds as Milwaukee shot 45.7 percent and hit 17 three-pointers. Reserves Pat Connaughton and Jordan Nwora added 20 and 15 points for the Bucks, who got 45 points from their second unit on a night in which Milwaukee attempted 21 more shots (105 to 84) than the Nets.

Jrue Holiday chipped in 12 points, but the Milwaukee point guard left in the second quarter with a heel contusion.

Kevin Durant totaled 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets, whose only lead was 2-0 in the game’s opening minutes. Reserve Patty Mills hit seven three-pointers without a miss and contributed 21 points, while James Harden chipped in 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Brooklyn shot 44 percent and hit 17 triples.

Steph notches T-D

Another title favorite in the LA Lakers stumbled, as Golden State rode Stephen Curry’s triple-double in a 121-114 win at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Curry finished with a teamhigh 21 points despite 5-for-21 shooting, and he added 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Jordan Poole poured in 20 points for the Warriors.

Golden State’s bench, led by Nemanja Bjelica’s 15 points and 11 rebounds, outscored its LA counterparts, 55-29, as the Warriors avenged a loss to the Lakers in the NBA’s new play-in tournament last season.

LeBron James led all scorers with 34 points and Anthony Davis had 33 for the Lakers, who were unable to flip the switch on the regular season after going 0-6 in the preseason.

The Lakers led by as many as 10 and were on top, 90-89, after James’ three-pointer with 9:37 to play before the Warriors took command for good with a ninepoint run that opened a 98-90 advantage. Poole hit two hoops and Otto Porter Jr. sank a three-pointer in the burst.

The Lakers got back within two twice, but both times Golden State countered immediately with a triple, the second time when Bjelica buried his only longrange attempt of the night.

Golden State went on to lead by as many as 12 before coasting home.

Bjelica signed with the Warriors as a free agent after having played last season for the Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat.

Damion Lee (15 points) and Andre Iguodala (12) also contributed double-figure scoring as reserves for Golden State, while starter Andrew Wiggins also chipped in with 12 points.

James and Davis collected 11 rebounds apiece to notch double-doubles for the Lakers, who were hosting their Northern California rival on Opening Night for the first time since 1982.

Making his Lakers debut, Russell Westbrook shot just 4-for-13 and was limited to eight points, five rebounds and four assists.