Giannis Antetokounmpo too much for chippy Kanter, Knicks

MILWAUKEE — Enes Kanter knocked Giannis Antetokounmpo to the floor, but the “Greek Freak’’ knocked the Knicks out again.

Another change to the starting lineup resulted in another loss as the Knicks continue their long, winding road to the league’s very bottom.

But the desperation move to start 7-foot-1 center Luke Kornet over Kanter didn’t look half bad in a 112-96 loss to Milwaukee on Thursday, as the Bucks completed a sweep of the home-and-home series.

Kanter may have been so charged up at the demotion he put the Bucks superstar to the floor — even if it wound up knocking the Turkish strongman out of the game with a highly questionable ejection.

Kanter, who had received a three-stitch cut above his eye a play earlier after taking an elbow from Thon Maker, was livid after the game. He accused Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham of running onto the court and knocking him from behind during the dust-up.

The sweet-shooting Kornet posted a season-high 23 points, tying his career high, making 7-of-11 3-pointers, using his long arms to defend drivers around the basket and keeping the Knicks within a point of the Bucks midway through the third quarter.

It wasn’t enough as Antetokounmpo rallied himself in the second half to score 24 of his 31 points.

The Knicks’ 11th loss in 12 games and sixth straight plummeted them to 9-27 and into sole possession of the second-worst record in the league in beginning their six-game road trip from hell.

The Knicks, who face Utah on Saturday, are just one-half game from overtaking the 8-27 Cavaliers for the NBA’s worst record.

The Kanter-versus-“Greek Freak’’ roustabout came with 9:56 left when the Bucks star drove to the basket and the Knicks center bashed him in the face with his left hand as he went to swat the ball.

The officials missed the foul as Antetokounmpo crashed to the floor like a heavyweight boxer — in a daze and in pain. Kanter stared at the knocked-down MVP candidate and taunted the crowd as play continued.

Antetokounmpo rose and ran straight to Kanter, shoving him from behind. Kanter went nose-to-nose with the “Greek Freak,” exchanging angry words before players swarmed to break it up.

After a five-minute review, the officials decided to give Kanter two technicals and send him to the showers as the fans booed him off the court. Antetokounmpo received just one technical and stayed in.

Meanwhile, Knicks rookie lottery pick Kevin Knox saw his string of scoring 15-plus points in eight straight games come to an end. He was 4-for-15 for 12 points and zero assists.

This was at least closer than Christmas when the Bucks blew the Knicks out in the second half at the Garden en route to a 109-95 win.

The Knicks got off to a terrific start with their new alignment Thursday, grabbing a 23-13 lead after eight minutes. Aided by Kornet’s presence, the Knicks moved the ball with more aplomb. Kornet hit his first two 3-pointers.

In eight minutes, Kornet logged eight points (3-of-5) with three assists before being replaced by Kanter with the Knicks ahead 23-16.

Center Brook Lopez (17 points) and the Bucks soon got rolling and closed to within 28-24 after one. The Knicks fell behind by 48-39 in the second before Knox, after a rough start, hit his last two shots of the half, reducing the Bucks’ lead to 53-48 at intermission.

After a 2-of-9 start, Knox finished the half with nine points on 4-for-11 shooting. However, the Bucks got a momentum boost when Knox went soaring for the rim and the “Greek Freak’’ glided over and swatted the ball away. Moments later, he snatched a rebound and sprinted the length of the court for a dunk.

The change to Kornet and shooting guard Courtney Lee over the ill Tim Hardaway Jr. sharpened the Knicks defense, holding the Bucks to 53 points in the half.

Antetokounmpo scored just seven in the opening half, shooting 3-of-9. Kornet’s height and long arms is a contrast to Kanter, who has never been known for his lateral quickness and on-ball defense.

The Knicks, who shot 36 percent on Christmas, finished at 37.1 percent Thursday.

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