Cam Thomas leads the Nets to victory over the Bucks and the first win for head coach Jordi Fernandez

NEW YORK — Cam Thomas scored 32 points, Dennis Schroder added 29 and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 115-102 in their home opener on Sunday, giving coach Jordi Fernandez his first win.

The Nets pulled away in the fourth quarter after starting with two road losses in their first season under Fernandez, a native of Badalona, ​​Spain.

Thomas scored 11 points in the final period, surpassing the 30 points he averaged in the first two games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, who dropped two rebounds after winning the opening game. Damian Lillard scored 21 points and Bobby Portis Jr. had 16 points and 10 boards.

souvenir

dollar: Milwaukee cannot be fully evaluated until Khris Middleton returns from ankle surgery. Coach Doc Rivers said the longtime starter is getting closer and could take another step with a good workout this week. But he won't solve the perimeter defense woes for a team that gave up 35 points to Chicago's Coby White on Friday before getting burned by Thomas and Schroder on Sunday.

networks: Thomas has the green light and is poised to thrive, and Schröder is a fierce competitor, and even a team without a ton of talent can be difficult in a rebuilding season if both can make it.

KEY MOMENT

With nine minutes left, the Nets only led 89-85 in a game in which neither team had yet built a double-digit lead. Thomas and Schroder combined for the next 10 points, with Thomas' three-point play giving Brooklyn a 99-85 lead with 7:04 left.

KEY STATUS

Antetokounmpo has made 30 of 45 shots this season (66.7%).

NEXT

The Bucks face unbeaten Boston in the second half of a back-to-back game on Monday. The Nets host Denver on Tuesday.