Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks dominate Phoenix Suns without Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Phoenix Suns (39-29) shot nearly 60% but lost, 140-129, at the Milwaukee Bucks (44-24) on Sunday, the finale of Phoenix's four-game road trip.

The Suns' loss splits their season series against the Bucks, after Phoenix beat them at home on Feb. 6.

Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis picked up Milwaukee's scoring slack in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) by matching each other's 31 points. Lillard also tied his career-high 16 assists. The Bucks hit 24 from deep, including their 18 in the first half, which tied an NBA record for the most made in a half.

Phoenix starters Bradley Beal had the team-high 28 points, Grayson Allen put up 25 including six 3s, Devin Booker had 23, Kevin Durant had a meager 11, and Royce O'Neale contributed 16 off the bench.

The Suns play next at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Bucks' Lillard closes 3rd quarter countering Suns run

The Suns showed some signs of life in the third, but are still down 109-94 to Milwaukee.

That's because of Damian Lillard (game-high 28 point), who scored 13 points in the period's final four minutes, including his third 3 as time expired, which ended Milwaukee's 9-0 run entering the fourth.

The Suns' Grayson Allen (team-high 23 points) and Eric Gordon (10 points) sparked a 22-7 run after the third quarter’s midpoint through the 1:30 minute mark to cut the Bucks’ lead to six after being down 22. Allen added 11 points, including three from deep, and Gordon contributed eight with two treys in the third.

Kevin Durant continues to have a quiet scoring outing game with just 11 points (4-of-9 shooting), and has added seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.

Suns struggle as Bucks reach 3-point record in 2nd quarter

Nothing went right for Phoenix in the first half, and the Suns are down 82-60 to Milwaukee at the break.

Phoenix, ranked 21st in opponent 3s made per game, allowed an NBA record 18 in the first half, which ties an NBA record. Milwaukee is shooting at a 66.7% clip from deep.

Bucks' sixth man Bobby Portis Jr. has a game-high 25 points and made his fifth three-pointer midway through the second quarter. His team exploded for a 24-point lead during their huge run.

The Suns have made just 3-of-13 from the arc.

Devin Booker leads the Suns with 15 points; Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have eight and nine, respectively.

Suns' Booker, Allen hot early in tight 1st quarter

Grayson Allen and Devin Booker scored 12 and 8 points, respectively, for Phoenix, which trails Milwaukee, 39-36, at the end of the first period.

Booker shot 4-of-6 and Allen went 3-of-6, with all three makes from the perimeter.

The Suns have had trouble defending the 3, allowing 7-of-13 by Milwaukee.

It's been a tight margin so far, as the Suns had an early six-point lead, and the Bucks' largest advantage has been just three.

Starting lineups

The Suns are starting Devin Booker and Bradley Beal at guard, Grayson Allen and Kevin Durant at the three and four spots, and Jusuf Nurkic in the middle.

The Bucks are opening with this year's All-Star MVP and 3-point contest champion Damian Lillard running the point, Malik Beasley at the two, Khris Middleton and former Suns forward Jae Crowder, and center Brooke Lopez.

Bucks' Antetokounmpo ruled out

Milwaukee's top scorer and Giannis Antetokounmpo (hamstring) has been downgraded from questionable to out.

The team's top 3-point shooter Malik Beasley (back) has been upgraded to available, and MarJon Beauchamp (back) is out.

Bucks' Antetokounmpo questionable, Middleton returns

The Suns are nearly at full strength without Josh Okogie (lower abdominal strain) and Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery.

The Bucks' MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable (hamstring), and the team is having Khris Middleton (ankle) back in its starting lineup after missing the past 16 games. He was listed as questionable entering Saturday. The three-time All-Star and the team's third-best scorer (14.8 per game) last played on Feb. 6 in the Bucks' loss in Phoenix.

Other players on the Bucks' injury report include Malik Beasley (back) and MarJon Beauchamp (back) questionable, plus Chris Livingston (ankle) is out.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Lillard, Bucks dominate Suns without Giannis Antetokounmpo