Graham hits 8 3s push Pelicans beat Bucks 116-112 in OT

Published Dec. 17, 2021 11:02 p.m. ET

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Devonte' Graham hit eight 3-pointers and added two clutch free throws late in overtime to finish with 26 points, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks 116-112 on Friday night.

Jonas Valanciunas scored 24 points and Brandon Ingram added 22 for New Orleans, which won its second straight on the heels of Graham's 60-foot winner at the horn in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

Former Pelicans star Jrue Holiday, who received a warm welcome during pre-game introductions, scored a career-high 40 points to help Milwaukee force overtime on the road despite being without top scorers Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.

Grayson Allen hit seven 3s and tied a season high with 25 points for the defending champion Bucks. Jordan Nwora had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The turning point in overtime came when Nwora fouled Ingram on a missed corner 3 by advancing into the Pelicans forward's landing area. Officials reviewed replays and ruled it a flagrant foul, meaning Ingram would get three free throws and New Orleans would retain possession.

Ingram missed two of three free throws, but Graham hit his eighth 3 after New Orleans inbounded to put the Pelicans ahead 112-107.

Milwaukee tied it on Pat Connaughton's 3 and Holiday's jumper.

But rookie Herb Jones capped a 17-point effort with a cutting layup on a feed from Valanciunas to put the Pelicans back up 114-112 with 43.5 seconds left in overtime.

After Holiday's driving shot for the tie missed with 21 seconds to go, the Pelicans rebounded and ran off about 10 seconds before the Bucks fouled Graham to stop the clock and Graham gave New Orleans a four-point lead.

TIP-INS

Bucks: Entered the game with just nine available players after Middleton was ruled out shortly before tip-off. All nine saw action with no one playing fewer minutes than Javonte Smart's 15:42. ... Antetokounmpo, a five-time All-Star who is averaging 27 points this season, was not on the trip and missed his second straight game since being placed in the NBA's COVID-19 protocol. ... DeMarcus Cousins started and scored nine points on 4-of-8 shooting and had six rebounds in 15:55.

Pelicans: Josh Hart had 11 points and a season-high 15 rebounds to go with eight assists. ... Two of Jones' first three made shots were 2-point jumpers with his foot on the 3-point line. He looked disgusted with himself after the second one was ruled a 2, hitting himself in the head as he ran back toward New Orleans' defensive end.

UP NEXT

Bucks: Host Cleveland on Saturday night.

Pelicans: At Philadelphia on Sunday night.

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