SPORTS LINE
The Bucks.
Damian Lillard had a historic day. The last time Giannis Antetokounmpo was a late scratch before a Milwaukee Bucks game, his team lost by 40 points in Cleveland on Jan. 17. Sunday he was out with left hamstring soreness. What a difference two months can make. Is it because of a new coach coming in? Has something changed in practices? The Bucks dominated the Phoenix Suns, 140-129, Sunday afternoon at Fiserv Forum after Antetokounmpo was ruled out less than an hour before tip-off. Excited by the return of Khris Middleton, the Bucks (44-24) led by as many as 25 points in the first half. It was the first 30-point, 15-assist game in Bucks history and tied a career-high in handouts for Lillard. It was the fourth time in his career he had 16 in a game. Khris Middleton added 22 points for Milwaukee in his first game back after missing 16 games with a sprained left ankle. The Bucks finished 24 of 41 from 3-point range, with Portis and Malik Beasley hitting five apiece. Milwaukee’s 18 first-half 3-pointers matched the NBA record for 3-pointers in the opening half held by the Suns and Utah Jazz. Milwaukee moved 1 ½ games ahead of Cleveland for the second-best record in the East. It’s great to know the Bucks can handle their competition without Antetokounmpo but we look forward to having him back on the court.
Green Bay Packers.
The Packers released both David Bakhtiari and Aaron Jones. Minnesota immediately signed Jones, who’s been a great star running back, as well as a gifted receiver for the Packers whenever he played. Bakhtiari has only mentioned retiring from the sport as to his future plans, but he will be greatly missed, as well. He was injured for many games, which probably had a lot to do with his dismissal. Packer fans enter the new season a bit emotionally damaged, as it is seldom easy to replace in all the fans’ minds the positive feelings they have for both players.
