SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2016 Bucks go into break with close win over Wizards MILWAUKEE: Khris Middleton’s role on the Milwaukee Bucks has evolved from catch-and-shoot perimeter player to crunch-time play- maker. A matchup problem as a 6-foot-8 forward who plays in the backcourt, Middleton did more damage Thursday night against the Washington Wizards by attacking the bucket and finding open teammates. Middleton scored 27 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and the Bucks held on for 99-92 win to head into the All-Star break on a high note.”Yeah, we look at Khris as our best player, our best scorer,” teammate Jabari Parker said. “He opens up a lot of areas for us, and we’re going to depend on him.” Especially in the final quarter, when Middleton had 14 points and five assists. He’s not just a catch-and-shoot player anymore. Expectation rose in the offseason when Middleton signed a five-year contract worth $70 million. Against Washington, Middleton was 1 of 3 from 3-point range, but 9 of 17 overall. Middleton also tied a season high with nine assists. “Sometimes, you want to put guys in position (for more responsibility), you want to see if they grab it - and he’s grabbing it,” coach Jason Kidd said. Bradley Beal scored 19 points for the Wizards, and John Wall had 15 points and 10 assists. Washington got within three when Wall made two free throws with 1:36 left. But Middleton answered again, hitting a jumper in the lane on the next possession before setting up a drive-and-dish to Greg Monroe that gave the Bucks a 97-90 lead with 15 seconds left. “He was being aggressive,” Wall said. “When a guy gets in a rhythm, it’s kind of hard to stop. He’s always been a person that’s scored well OKLAHOMA CITY: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots between New Orleans Pelicans guard against us.” Norris Cole, left, and Dante Cunningham (44) in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City. — AP Hitting wall Washington’s star guard played with a sore right knee after he Thunder down Pelicans as both said he collided with Milwaukee’s O.J. Mayo in the first quarter. Wall said he would get treatment for the All-Star game this weekend and teams play with heavy hearts will play “unless he can’t move.” The Wizards go into the All-Star break 3-7 in their last 10 games. The Bucks will take a modest but badly-needed two-game winning streak into the break. At 22-32, OKLAHOMA CITY: Basketball didn’t matter what’s most important in life, not the latest there and play. We had a job to do tonight.” Milwaukee needs to inch back closer to .500 before it can start think- much to Kevin Durant on Thursday night. trends or the fashion world or all that stuff. ing about making a run at a second straight playoff appearance. Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams’ It’s cool and all that stuff, but the stuff that No switch-up wife, Ingrid, was involved in a car crash lasts forever is relationships, family and Oklahoma City has won 14 of 16 head- Up and down Tuesday night in Oklahoma City and died love.” ing into the All-Star break to join Golden Sparked by better defense, the Wizards rallied from an 11-point Wednesday. Monty Williams coached the Donovan wasn’t sure how his team State and San Antonio as the only teams deficit late in the second quarter to turn it into a tight contest after Pelicans last season before coming to would deal with all that happened. Durant with at least 40 wins. The Thunder don’t feel halftime. Milwaukee used a 25-5 surge in an eight-minute span to Oklahoma City to help new coach Billy scored 23 points, Russell Westbrook had 23 much needs to change to compete for the help build a 55-44 lead with 45 seconds left in the second quarter. Donovan, so as his two most recent teams points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, and title. “No switch-up, just enhance and get Jabari Parker scored 12 points during that quarter, when the Bucks met, both played with heavy hearts. A Serge Ibaka added 18 points. “I really appre- better at what we do.” made their run using primarily a three-guard lineup that attacked moment of silence was observed before the ciated all of our guys, the way they all have The Thunder led 62-53 at halftime with the ball. “I was just sitting here trying to contemplate on what Thunder’s 121-95 victory. handled a really difficult situation these past behind 18 points from Westbrook and 17 actually happened, like how did we lose the game?” Beal said. “I feel Durant was distraught earlier in the day 24 hours and being able to go out and from Durant. Westbrook got his 10th assist like we came out aggressively, came out and played the right way in while discussing the situation after the play,” Donovan said. on Ibaka’s 3-pointer that gave the Thunder the first and third quarters, and I guess the second and fourth they team’s shootaround, and he said it Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday each a 79-65 lead. He had his ninth rebound with made bigger plays than we did.” remained fresh in his mind after the game. scored 23 points for the Pelicans. Davis, who just under 3 minutes to go in the third quar- A 58-38 rebounding advantage for the Bucks hurt the Wizards, as “We love the game so much, but that’s not was emotional on Twitter after learning of ter before heading to the bench for his usu- did Washington’s 6-of-32 night from the 3-point line. “We didn’t really what’s important,” Durant said. “It’s the death, still was disappointed in the way al rest and the Thunder ahead 86-68. attack,” coach Randy Wittman said. “Bradley did the last couple of definitely something that we love to do, but the Pelicans played. “We’ve got to go out Oklahoma City led 95-74 at the end of the minutes and he got to the rim. We didn’t do enough of that in the relationships, family - those things - that’s there and still compete,” he said. “Go out third quarter. fourth quarter.” Parker finished with 17 points and shot 7 of 11 from Oklahoma City’s backups expanded the the field, playing a season-high 41 minutes. He’s showing no ill lead early in the fourth quarter, and effects from the left knee injury that sidelined him in December of his Westbrook didn’t return. “I don’t know what rookie season in 2014-15. —AP we can take out of it other than we compet- ed like crazy in the first half,” New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said. “Tried like crazy in the second half, but when they got separa- tion, it was really difficult.” The Thunder found an escape from pain through playing. “Basketball, the effect it has, it allows you to forget about things a little bit, and it also brings you together as a group,” Durant said. “Thankful for that.” Gentry, on Westbrook: “He’s just a really talented guy, probably the best athlete in professional sports, and when I say that, I mean pro sports. Not just basketball. This team’s playing extremely well,” he said. “I know they had a tough loss against Golden State (last Saturday), but I think they’re play- ing really good basketball, and I think, obvi- OKLAHOMA CITY: (From left) Cameron Payne, Kevin Durant, Andrew Morrow ously, they’re going to be a huge factor.” and DJ Augustin bow their heads during a moment of silence for Ingrid Durant is averaging 30.0 points on 49 per- MILWAUKEE: Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton (22) Williams, the wife of Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams, who died on cent shooting during the Thunder’s 14-2 drives against Washington Wizards’ Nene Hilario during Wednesday. — AP surge heading into the All-Star break. — AP the second half of an NBA basketball game. — AP .