Brook Lopez matches career high with 39 points as Bucks edge Wizards 131-128

National Basketball Association

Jordan Poole scored 26, Kyle Kuzma and Tyus Jones each had 22 and Corey Kispert added 20 for the Wizards, who have lost eight straight. The Wizards are 0-4 in group play.

Kuzma fired a potential tying 3-pointer from midcourt that bounced off the back rim at the buzzer.

In a game that featured 22 ties and 19 lead changes, Lopez broke a 116-all tie by sinking a 3-pointer from the top of the key that put the Bucks ahead for good. The Bucks extended the lead to 125-118 — the biggest margin for either team all night — when Lillard hit one of two free throws with 1:16 left.

Kuzma sank a corner 3-pointer to cut the lead to 127-126 with 16.9 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo made two free throws to extend the lead, then Landry Shamet missed an open corner 3-pointer that would have tied the game with 12 seconds left. After Pat Connaughton missed two free throws, Kuzma sank a driving layup to cut the lead to one with 4.2 seconds remaining.

The only other time Lopez has scored 39 points came while playing for the New Jersey Nets against the Detroit Pistons on April 6, 2011. His two highest-scoring performances of the season have come in his last two games, as the 7-footer had 28 points Wednesday in a 119-106 loss at Boston.

UP NEXT

Wizards: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

Bucks: Host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in Damian Lillard’s first game against his former team.

Reporting by The Associated Press.