NEW ORLEANS _ Two teams needing a victory met at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night.
New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said his team was "desperate" to get its first victory of the season.
And the Milwaukee Bucks played the same way, battling to a 117-113 victory to even their record at 2-2.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, and Jabari Parker added 21 points.
The Bucks held Anthony Davis under the 40-point mark, as he finished with 35 points and 15 rebounds.
A 3-pointer by Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks a five-point lead and a steal by Matthew Dellavedova helped them run some precious time off the clock.
The Pelicans had several more chances with the ball but could not score as Davis missed a long two-pointer while defended by Bucks center John Henson.
Davis had 15 points and seven rebounds at intermission, but the Bucks used a 34-point second-quarter outburst to take a 63-54 lead at halftime.
The Bucks shot 49 percent in the half and benefited from six 3-pointers, including two apiece by Tony Snell and Dellavedova.
Milwaukee led, 74-62, early in the third quarter but the Pelicans went on an 11-0 run to get within a point.
They took an 86-84 lead after three quarters, using a steal and dunk by guard Tim Frazier to pull ahead.
But Antetokounmpo, who picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter and went to the bench, returned to start the final quarter.
He helped the Bucks get on the run and pull in front, 101-93, after his basket with 6:50 remaining.
