The first Giannis-Zion clash goes in favor of reigning MVP, Bucks

NEW ORLEANS —  The first meeting between reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and New Orleans Pelicans No. 1 pick Zion Williamson did not disappoint. There were dunks, displays of strength in the paint and breath-taking meetings mid-air.

While Williamson may indeed be next, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are now, something that was reinforced Tuesday night in Milwaukee's 120-108 win at Smoothie King Center.

After the Bucks scuffled through the first half, Antetokounmpo took total control with a dominant, 16-point third quarter to right the ship and help the Milwaukee Bucks surge ahead to a lead they'd never relinquish in a 120-108 victory. 

Antetokounmpo finished with 34 points on 12 of 17 shooting, tacking on 17 rebounds and six assists for good measure. He also appeared to attack any and all chances to guard Williamson very seriously, refusing to let Williamson get anything easy.

In the first half, Williamson was just 1 of 5 from the field when guarded by Antetokounmpo, the one make coming on an offensive rebound. With 7½ minutes left in the second quarter, Antetokounmpo ran out alongside Williamson on a break, reaching across Williamson's body with his left hand to block the rookie's layup out of bounds.

Williamson, who finished 5 of 18 from the field – his most misses in a game since before college – had 20 points and also got the better of Antetokounmpo on a few occasions. In the fourth quarter, Williamson went over Antetokounmpo's back to rip away a rebound moments after meeting Antetokounmpo at the summit in a clash of the titans. Antetokounmpo blocked that attempt, but was called for a foul due to body contact.

The Bucks improved to 43-7 and Pelicans fell to 20-31

All five Bucks starters scored in double figures, with each having their moments to shine.

Antetokounmpo ripped off eight points in the first four minutes of the third quarter, including a three-pointer on one possession followed by a drive on Williamson the next that ended in a couple pivots and a jump hook. He attacked the rim throughout the night, throwing down three dunks and earning trips to the line that ended in him making 9 of 13 free throws.

Khris Middleton had things cooking in the first half to keep the Bucks in a game the Pelicans had led by as many as 10 after making 9 of their first 18 three-point attempts. No matter who the Pelicans put on him – Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Williamson, etc. – Middleton found ways to get to his favorite spots, opening the game 7 of 11 with 15 points before halftime before finishing with 20 points, eight assists and eight rebounds.

While Antetokounmpo was getting rolling in the third quarter, he got some key help from Wesley Matthews.

The Bucks had made just 4 of 19 three-pointers in the first half, but with back-to-back Matthews threes in the third quarter – the first off an Antetokounmpo kick-out and the second off a great feed from Middleton on the break – Milwaukee pushed its lead to double-digits. 

Matthews ended up scoring 17 points, including going 4 of 5 on three-pointers after halftime and 5 of 9 for the game.

OPINION:Teams most likely to make deals at NBA trade deadline

TRADE DEADLINE:Four players most likely on the move

TRADE DEADLINE TRACKER:Full list of completed NBA deals

Eric Bledsoe chipped in 16 points and seven assists, still affecting the game with his speed and aggression despite an off shooting night (7 of 20). Brook Lopez finished with 12 points to round out the starters, going 6 of 6 from two-point range and kick-starting a critical 7-0 fourth-quarter run with a layup.

All-star forward Brandon Ingram paced the Pelicans with 28 points on 12 of 19 shooting in the loss.