Phoenix Suns defeat Milwaukee Bucks behind Big 3's second-half surge

Devin Booker scored 32 points to lead the Phoenix Suns (30-21) over the Milwaukee Bucks (33-18) at home, 114-106, on Tuesday.

This is the second straight win for Phoenix, and the second consecutive loss for Milwaukee.

Booker's Big 3 cohorts Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal contributed 28 and 25 points, respectively, and added 10 rebounds each in the Suns' first game at home since completing a seven-game road trip.

Booker, Durant and Beal each had 16 points in the second half.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Milwaukee's loss. The Bucks now are 1-4 under new coach Doc Rivers.

It was a tight first half in which Milwaukee edged Phoenix for the lead at the end of the first two quarters. Phoenix picked up steam behind its Big 3 as they combined for 48 of the team's 66 second-half points. The Suns gained their largest lead of 15 on a Durant jump shot assisted by Beal shortly after four minutes left to play.

The Suns' next game is at home against the Utah Jazz on Thursday.

Booker, Antetokounmpo on fire in 3rd quarter

The Suns took a 79-73 lead at the end of the third, driven by Devin Booker scoring 16 of his 32 points (12-of-19 FG) in the period.

Booker shot 6-of-9 in the third, and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo had 10 of his 24 points in the third, including a mammoth left-handed dunk over Drew Eubanks that set social media ablaze.

Phoenix gained their biggest lead 10 in the period. Bol Bol (four points) came off the Suns' bench and added to the highlights with his George Gervin-esque finger roll on a shifty drive at the 1:19 mark.

Durant, Bucks' Antetokounmpo find rhythm in 2nd

Milwaukee edged Phoenix for the lead, 49-48, at the end of the second quarter.

Kevin Durant scored eight of his 12 points (4-of-11 shooting, 3-of-6 in the second) in the second period, Devin Booker added five for his total of 16, and Bradley Beal had seven of his nine.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 10 of his 14 in the second as well.

The margin was slim throughout the second. Phoenix briefly led by as much as six in the first two minutes, and Milwaukee gained a seven-point advantage just after the two-minute mark.

Booker's solid shooting for Suns in 1st quarter

Devin Booker led all scorers with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting as Phoenix trails Milwaukee, 23-22, at the end of the first.

Milwaukee's Malik Beasley has his team-high eight points.

The lead reached no more than five for Milwaukee and three for Phoenix in the opening period.

Starting lineups

The Suns are starting guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, forwards Grayson Allen and Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic in the middle.

The Bucks are starting Malik Beasley and Pat Connaughton in the backcourt, Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo at the three and four spots, and Robin Lopez in the middle.

Antetokounmpo in, Lillard out

Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) has been ruled in for the Bucks. Their coach Doc Rivers confirmed that Damian Lillard (ankle) is out. Brooke Lopez (personal reasons) is also out for Milwaukee.

Bucks' Antetokounmpo probable, Lillard questionable

The Suns are at full strength except for Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery), who's been out all season, per the team's injury report.

Milwaukee's two East All-Star starters, Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is probable to play and Damian Lillard (ankle) is questionable. Additional players on Milwaukee's injury report include Andre Jackson (wrist, probable) and Brooke Lopez (personal reasons, questionable).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix's Big 3 drives 2nd half-surge over Bucks for 2nd straight win