Andre Jackson Jr.'s move into starting 5 helps Bucks top Jazz - ESPN

MILWAUKEE — Thanks to a change to their starting lineup and another pair of outstanding performances from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks ended a six-game losing streak with a 123-100 victory Thursday night over the Utah Jazz.

Milwaukee altered its starting group for the first time this season, inserting second-year wing Andre Jackson Jr. to replace Gary Trent Jr. Jackson, who turns 23 next week, had 7 points, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes.

«He brings energy,» Antetokounmpo said of Jackson's presence in the starting lineup. «He plays his ass off, guards the best player. We play faster. He was incredible today. We definitely need that. We need that spark. We need to play with that energy.»

Jackson's energy aided both Lillard, who finished with a game-high 34 points, and Antetokounmpo, who had 31. It marked the third time in the first eight games of the season both players have scored at least 30 points, the most by any duo in the NBA this season.

But despite the pair's fast start, the Bucks have not been able to consistently translate their performance into wins, which is why Thursday's game was so crucial.

«We needed it bad, desperately,» Lillard said. «It was important for us to not only get off that six-game losing streak, but to feel something good.»

Thursday began a stretch of five games in seven nights for the Bucks, who improved to 2-6. They play again Friday against the Knicks in New York before returning home to face the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

«Going into this next stretch of games, it was important for us to get back in the win column,» Lillard said. «Not just win a game, but do a lot of things we can have some carry-over with. We do a lot of the things we did