Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 43 points, Bucks hold off Hawks

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Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 12 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 124-115 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Defending champion Milwaukee edged a half-game ahead of idle Philadelphia for second place in the Eastern Conference and moved within two games of first-place Miami, which lost at home to NBA-leading Phoenix.

Bobby Portis added 23 points and 15 rebounds, and Khris Middleton had 23 points and eight assists to help Milwaukee beat Atlanta for the first time in three tries this season.

Trae Young led Atlanta with 27 points and 11 assists, including 22 points in the second half, and De'Andre Hunter had 17 points.

Antetokounmpo slashed to the basket repeatedly and dunked or scored from close range as he made 15 of 22 field goals and 12 of 17 at the free throw line. He scored 82 points in a 24-hour span after getting 39 in a victory at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

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Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives against Atlanta Hawks' De'Andre Hunter during an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 9, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

"The things he does are not normal," Portis said. "It’s fun to be his teammate and fun to play alongside him."

Middleton made several perfect lobs to Antetokounmpo for easy baskets early in the game, helping his teammate get off to a great start with 17 points in the first quarter.

"I see him work every day but also I've seen the growth and the greatness," Middleton said. "When it's front of your eyes every day you get used to it, but not in a bad way. You just realize how good he is and you