MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks punched their ticket to the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals in Las Vegas with a 146-122 victory over the New York Knicks Tuesday night at Fiserv Forum.

This was what the Bucks had in mind when they traded for Damian Lillard — a dominant offensive team with more weapons than an opponent can cover.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 35 points while Lillard added 28. Lillard called it the Bucks’ best performance yet this season. Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin felt it was “a huge step.”

The Bucks will face the rising Indiana Pacers on Thursday night in Las Vegas. Griffin was quick to call it “a business trip.” While Lillard wasn’t sure if these results meant a lot toward an NBA championship, he said this tournament is “an opportunity” that every team had. That’s why winning it would mean something.

As great as Antetokounmpo and Lillard are, the Bucks love the abundance of weapons they have. For example, on Tuesday night, Malik Beasley scored 18 points, hitting six three-pointers and harassing Jalen Brunson on defense.

Khris Middleton scored 14 points in less than 27 minutes, as he builds up his minutes capacity. Other Bucks scoring in double figures were Bobby Portis with 13 and Cameron Payne with 12.

That doesn’t even account for the important contributions of Brook Lopez and AJ Green. Both scored nine points. Lopez is a rock of stability on both ends. With Pat Connaughton out with injury, Green stepped up with three huge three’s in the first quarter.

The Bucks admit there has been some turbulence in the early portions of this season. A team this talented shouldn’t lose to a Chicago Bulls team missing its top two players, no matter the circumstances.

Maybe this In-Season Tournament is just what the doctor ordered for the Bucks to play with the purpose and cohesion it will take to win in May and June.