NBA Game Notes (March 14, 2023)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on March 14, 2023.

Bucks First to 50

The Milwaukee Bucks became the first team to reach 50 wins this season, knocking off the Phoenix Suns 116-104 to improve to 50-19. They also became the first team to clinch a berth in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

The Bucks have won 21 of their last 23 games, averaging 123.6 PPG over that span. Only six teams in NBA history have recorded a higher scoring average over a 23-game single-season span in which they won at least 20 games:

• 1959-60 Boston Celtics

• 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers

• 1967-68 Philadelphia 76ers

• 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks

• 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers

• 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers

Five of those teams went on to win the NBA Finals, the lone exception being the 1967-68 Philadelphia 76ers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded game highs of 36 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists (tied) to lead the Bucks. It was Antetokounmpo’s 40th double-double of the season, the sixth straight season he’s reached that mark. He’s the only player to record at least 40 double-doubles in each of the last six seasons.

Antetokounmpo reached 16,000 career points in the second quarter. He’s the first player in franchise history to reach that mark, as well as the 11th active player to do so.

Bucks center Brook Lopez scored 21 points and snagged 10 rebounds, shooting 10-14 from the field (71.4%). Lopez is averaging 20.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 2.8 BPG in his 11 games since the All-Star break, shooting 56.6% from the field and 41.8% from 3-point range.

The Suns’ Devin Booker scored a team-high 30 points in the loss, his seventh straight 25-point game. Booker is averaging 29.4 PPG on 52.7% shooting from the field in his 13 games since returning from a six-week absence due to a groin strain.