Ball's career-high 50 points not enough as Antetokounmpo, Lillard lead Bucks past Hornets 125-119

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 11 rebounds and Damian Lillard added 31 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the Charlotte Hornets 125-119 on Saturday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

Milwaukee opened the fourth quarter with a 14-5 spurt for a 110-90 lead, but the Hornets got it to 121-119 on Brandon Miller’s 3-pointer with 15 seconds left.

Taurean Prince answered with a pair of free throws for the Bucks to make it a two-possession game, and Charlotte missed a pair of 3-pointers on the ensuing possession. Antetokounmpo hit two free throws with 4.5 seconds left to make it 125-119.

LaMelo Ball had a career-high 50 points for the Hornets, and Brandon Miller added 32. Ball hit 17 of 38 shots, including 6 of 17 beyond the arc, and 10 of 13 free throws.

Milwaukee, which completed a 4-0 homestand, has won six of its last seven. The only loss in that span was a 115-114 loss to the Hornets on Nov. 16 following a controversial foul call.

Charlotte’s Grant Williams went to the locker room late in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury and did not return.

Hornets: Charlotte has lost five of its last seven.

Bucks: Lillard, who did not play in the Bucks' last game against Charlotte, hit 9 of 21 shots, including 10 of 11 free throws.

Milwaukee hit four consecutive 3-pointers for a 12-3 run and a 96-83 lead late in the third quarter.

The Bucks were 18 of 37 from beyond the arc, matching their season high in 3-pointers made.

The Hornets host the Orlando Magic on Monday, and the Bucks are at the Miami Heat in NBA Group Play on Tuesday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Charlotte Hornets' Brandon Miller dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Andre Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' Grant Williams and Milwaukee Bucks' AJ Green go after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis reacts in front of Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' Moussa Diabate fouls Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Barbra Banda scored in the 37th minute to give the Orlando Pride their first National Women’s Soccer League championship with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit on Saturday night.

Banda dribbled into the right side of the box and made a move past a defender before kicking the ball on the ground with her left foot and past the goalkeeper. She became the first player in the NWSL to score in each round of the playoffs.

The Pride's Angelina was nearly called for a push before passing it to Banda, but the VAR determined that the play was fair.

The Spirit (20-7-2) controlled the game and outshot the Pride 25-9, had two more shots on goal and held onto possession 58% of the time. Rosemonde Kouassi had Washington’s best chance in the 47 minute when she headed a ball from about 10 yards away.

Orlando's win gave Brazilian star Marta her first NWSL title.

Top-seed Orlando (21-6-2) went unbeaten in its first 23 matches, a league record. They beat the Kansas City Current in the semifinals before hoisting the trophy at CPKC Stadium, their home field.

Orlando is the first team since 2019 to win the Shield and the title in the same year.

Washington had won its last five playoff games when trailing at the half, but that streak was broken with this loss.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Orlando Pride forward Marta (10) and Washington Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos (10) battle for the ball during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, in grey, clears the ball during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium against the Orlando Pride, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Orlando Pride midfielder Angelina, left, battles Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt, right, for a ball during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Orlando Pride forward Marta (10) leaps into the air to make a play on a ball in front of Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt, right, during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Orlando Pride midfielder Angelina, center, celebrates her assist on a goal by Pride forward Barbra Banda with teammate Pride defender Cori Dyke (31) during the first half of the NWSL championship at CPKC Stadium against the Washington Spirit, Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Orlando Pride forwards Marta, center, and Barbra Banda, right, lift the NWSL championship trophy together after defeating the Washington Spirit in an NWSL soccer game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)