No Giannis, no problem as Bucks seize No. 1 seed in NBA playoffs

MANILA, Philippines – The Milwaukee Bucks brushed off the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat the Chicago Bulls, 105-92, and clinch top seeding throughout the NBA playoffs on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time).

Bobby Portis scored 27 points, including six 3-pointers, while Brook Lopez added 26 points, as the Bucks bagged their 58th win of the season to seal top spot in the Eastern Conference.

The win means Milwaukee will have home-court advantage through the playoffs as owners of the best record in the league this season.

With Antetokounmpo rested, Milwaukee demonstrated their strength in depth with a balanced offensive display.

Point guard Jrue Holiday took on the playmaking responsibilities, with 15 assists and eight rebounds in addition to a 20-point haul, while Jevon Carter added 16 points.

Milwaukee's offense turned the game around in the third quarter, transforming a 61-51 deficit with a 15-0 run that put the Bucks into a 66-61 lead.

The only blemish on the evening for Mike Budenholzer's side was an injury scare to Khris Middleton, who departed after less than nine minutes on court with a knee problem.

Wednesday's victory, however, means the Bucks can rest their front line players through the final two games of the regular season, which wraps up on Sunday before the playoffs get under way on April 15.

"Obviously, over an 82-game season there's going to be highs and lows, there's going to be times when you struggle and times when you're hot," Portis said after the win.

"But staying together, building our habits on a daily basis, building our chemistry has been key, and hopefully we can take that into the postseason," he added.

The identity of Milwaukee's first round opponents in the playoffs will not be determined until the completion of next week's play-in tournament.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Boston Celtics clinched second seeding in the Eastern Conference with a 97-93 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Malcolm Brogdon led the scoring for the Celtics with 29 points, while Jaylen Brown added 25.

Boston's victory ensured that the Philadelphia 76ers will finish third in the Eastern Conference.

The Sixers are poised to face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the postseason. The Nets all but guaranteed sixth place with a 123-108 win over Detroit on Wednesday.