Giannis Antetokounmpo made 2 free throws with 23 seconds left, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Charlotte Hornets 113-112 in the season opener for both teams at Spectrum Center.
The Hornets had the ball down 1, but Nicolas Batum missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have put them ahead.
During clutch time, the Bucks outscored the Hornets 9-7. Antetokounmpo scored 5 of the Bucks’ 9 on 0 for 1 shooting and 5 for 6 at the line. With 54 seconds left, Kemba Walker stole the ball from Malcolm Brogdon, and his free throws off it tied the game at 111.
Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists, and Khris Middleton added 19 points and 9 rebounds.
For the Hornets, Walker scored 41 points with 7 3-pointers.
The Bucks did not make a field goal in the last 3:33. The Hornets’ starters were outscored 26-15 in 9 minutes together. Ersan Ilyasova fouled out.