Bucks claim 104-89 win over Nets, force Game 7 in semifinals

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 104-89 to tie the series at 3-3 in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday.

The Bucks' Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo posted double-doubles in Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum.

Middleton scored 38 points and 10 rebounds, while Antetokounmpo produced 30 points and 17 rebounds.

Jrue Holiday finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.

For the losing side, Kevin Durant was the highest scorer on his team with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

James Harden helped his team with 16 points and seven assists.

- Ball, Edwards lead 2020-21 NBA All-Rookie teams

LaMelo Ball from Charlotte Hornets and Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves have been unanimously selected to the 2020-21 NBA All-Rookie First Team while they got NBA All-Rookie First Team votes on all 99 ballots from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, the NBA announced on Friday.

"Joining Ball and Edwards (198 total points each) on the 2020-21 NBA All-Rookie First Team are Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton (197 points; 98 First Team votes), Detroit Pistons forward Saddiq Bey (162 points; 63 First Team votes) and Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate (154 points; 57 First Team votes)," NBA said in a statement.

Ball, who the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year, averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 51 games for the Hornets.

Timberwolves guard Edwards averaged 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 72 games.

- Rick Carlisle steps down as Mavericks head coach

Rick Carlisle stepped down as coach of the Dallas Mavericks after 13 seasons, NBA confirmed on Thursday.

"Rick informed me today about his decision to step down as head coach," team owner Mark Cuban said in a statement.

"On top of being a tremendous basketball coach, he was also a friend and a confidant. Rick helped us bring the O'Brien Trophy to Dallas and those are memories I will always cherish. I want to thank Rick for all he gave this franchise and this city. We wish him all the best," he added.

Carlisle, 61, was head coach since 2008 in Dallas, including the 2011 championship team. He clinched 836 victories in his 19-year NBA career.