Giannis Antetokounmpo has a career game as the Milwaukee Bucks exact revenge on the Indiana Pacers.
After a monster performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Indiana Pacers 140-126 on Wednesday night at the Fiserv Forum to win their first game of the season.
After going 20 for 28 from the field and 24 for 32 from the free throw line, Giannis finished with a career-high 64 points. The amount of points that Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo has scored in a single game is a record for the team. In addition, the Greek Freak recorded 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block.
The just desserts have been delivered.
After losing their first two meetings this season, the Bucks defeated the Pacers with the help of Damian Lillard’s 21 points and Bobby Portis Jr.’s 19 points off the bench.
In the NBA In-Season Tournament semifinals, Milwaukee lost to Indiana on one occasion.
In the final 5:22, the Bucks had established a 124-102 lead. When head coach Adrian Griffin substituted his second string players for his starters, they were leading by 19 points, 131–112. With 2:05 remaining, the Pacers went on a massive run and pulled within 131-121, making the ploy all but disastrous for Milwaukee.
With just 1:02 remaining, Antetokounmpo made a layup and a free throw, and Khris Middleton sank a three-pointer to give Milwaukee a comfortable 137-122 lead. Griffin then substituted back his starting lineup, and the Bucks were back in business.
Remaining atop in Eastern
Milwaukee’s record improved to 17-7 with the victory, one game fewer than the Boston Celtics (17-5), who are leading the Eastern Conference. In addition, it was the Bucks’ 11th straight victory at home, where they now stand 12-2.
With 22 points apiece from Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, Indiana dropped to 13-9, good for fifth place in the East.
