MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists and the Milwaukee Bucks opened their NBA Cup title defense with a 126-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

The Bucks improved to 9-0 in the NBA Cup's group play stage during the event's three-year history. Milwaukee lost to Indiana in the semifinals two seasons ago and beat Oklahoma City 97-81 last year in the NBA Cup title game.

Antetokounmpo scored 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Bucks pull away. He shot 16 of 32 from the floor, the first time this season he shot below 61.5%.

Milwaukee's Myles Turner had 23 points — his highest total since joining the Bucks this year — and Ryan Rollins added 20.

Matas Buzelis had 20 points and eight rebounds for Chicago. Josh Giddey had 16 poi

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