The case is getting only stronger for Brook Lopez for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Lopez helped the Bucks hold off a game effort from the Brooklyn Nets in Milwaukee’s 118-113 victory at Fiserv Forum Thursday night by scoring 24 points and blocking a career high 9 shots, the biggest single game total in the league this year. His rebound tip in in the final minute gave the Bucks a four point lead and then recorded his final block in the closing seconds. Bobby Portis led the Bucks with 28 as they played without Giannis Antetokounmpo who gave his sore wrist another night off. The Nets rested most of their front line players but the backups gave Milwaukee fits, rallying from 17 down at the half to make it a tight contest until Lopez came through on both ends of the floor.
The Bucks improved to an NBA best 48-18 on the season and they’ll hit the road taking on the Golden State Warriors out west on Saturday night.
