The Milwaukee Bucks have climbed out of the NBA cellar.

Thanks to a dominant second half, the Bucks ended their six-game skid with a 123-100 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night at Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks (2-6) entered the game tied with the Jazz (1-7) and the Philadelphia 76ers (1-6) for the worst record in the league.

Milwaukee won for the first time since the season opener at Philadelphia, getting 34 points from Damian Lillard and 31 points and 16 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

BOX SCORE: Bucks 123, Jazz 100

The Bucks remained confident despite the losing streak, but there was no doubt some positive momentum was paramount.

"I think we needed it, desperately," Lillard said. "This was a team that came in with the same record as us.

"A struggling team, a much younger team than us. They come on our home floor, so it was important for us to not only get off that six-game losing streak and to feel somthing good, winning a game, but going into this next stretch of games it was important for us to get back in the win column."

The Bucks took control in the third quarter, taking an 87-72 lead after a 15-1 run.

The tension eased in the building with Milwaukee cruising the rest of the way.

"It feels good, it feels great," Antetokounmpo said. "We have another one tomorrow (against the Knicks in New York).

"I think we all will remember how it feels when you lose. We don't want to go back there. I think everybody came out, they were extremely locked in. To be able in the tone. Especially in the first quarter and the third quarter."

Jazz three-point shooting cools off

The Fiserv Forum crowd was on edge early in the game because the Jazz led at halftime, 61-57, thanks to absurd three-point shooting.

Utah shot 14 for 26 from beyond the arc, with Keyonte George (nine points), Johnny Juzang (12) and Jordan Clarkson (12) all hitting 3 three-pointers.

"I think they had three or four off offensive rebounds," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. "And then we had five bad switches and that's what we showed at halftime.

"All five of them you just cannot five. We showed them all, which I never do that many clips. You just can't do it and our guys did it."

But the Jazz could not sustain that barrage, missing its first 7 three-pointers of the third quarter and finishing 17 for 41.

Giannis Antetokounmpo adds yet another team record

With six offensive rebounds against the Jazz, Antetokounmpo has 1,469 for his career to set the franchise record, passing Marques Johnson (1,468).

"Never take anything for granted," Antetokounmpo said. "I'm happy, but I'm more happy we got a victory."

Antetokounmpo owns most of the Bucks’ top career marks, but Khris Middleton’s three-pointers attempted and made might be out of reach.

"I'm still chasing," Antetokounmpo joked. "One day it's going to happen."

Up next for Antetokounmpo is Quinn Buckner’s steals record of 1,042, which he could reach at the end of next season if he keeps up his normal production. Antetokounmpo has 907 steals.

Doc Rivers inserts Andre Jackson Jr. in starting lineup

Rivers made his first dramatic move with the team’s slow start, inserting second-year player Andre Jackson Jr. for Gary Trent Jr. in the starting lineup.

"We keep looking for that position just to be a good role player and defensive stopper," Rivers said. "Gary's been struggling, too.

"I think eventually Gary will work his way back. Just trying to give him room to breathe and get out of his little thing. Because I know he will."

Trent is struggling with his shot, going 9 for 39 (23.1%) on three-pointers this season. He played only eight minutes against the Jazz, none in the second half but Rivers said Trent was dealing with back spasms.

Jackson provided just what Rivers was looking for with the starters.

He knocked away the ball and got a breakaway dunk to tie the game at 6-6. He had another fastbreak layup to take a 13-9 lead and also threw an alley-oop to Antetokounmpo.

"Exactly what we wanted from him," Rivers said. "He made plays. He was athletic.

"Defensively I thought he pitched a shutout almost on anybody he guarded. Got his hands on things. Got a couple offensive rebounds. Ran the floor a couple times."

Five numbers

36 Bench points for the Jazz in the first half

14 Three-pointers in the first half for Utah, which came into the game averaging 11.3 per game.

1 Shot attempt for Bucks center Brook Lopez in each half. He missed both.

3 Fouls in the first half for the Bucks’ Andre Jackson Jr.

6.5 Jackson is averaging 6.5 fouls per 36 minutes - this despite not being whistled a single time in nearly 25 minutes against Cleveland on Nov. 6.

Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing?

Yes. In the initial injury report on Wednesday, Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as questionable with a right adductor strain, but during his pregame availability, Rivers confirmed that Antetokounmpo would play against the Jazz.

What is the Bucks record without Giannis?

0-1: Antetokounmpo sat out Monday's loss at Cleveland. Last year the Bucks went 4-5 when he was out of the lineup.

Bucks injury report

• Khris Middleton, out (surgery on both ankles)

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (right adductor strain)

Bucks starting lineup

• Guards: Damian Lillard, Andre Jackson Jr.

• Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince

• Center: Brook Lopez

Jazz starting lineup

• Guards: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton

• Forwards: Lauri Markkanen, Cody Williams

• Center: Walker Kessler

What channel is the Bucks game on?

The Bucks and Cavs tip-off at 7 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.

Bucks vs Jazz odds, over/under

The Bucks are 8.5-point favorites over the Jazz, and the over/under is 230.5 points, according to BetMGM.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard help Bucks end losing streak