INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 28 (BNA): When the Milwaukee Bucks needed a steady presence Friday night in Indiana, Giannis Antetkonmo delivered them even from the free throw line.
He finished leading the Eastern Conference All-Star team with 41 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists and made five of eight free throws over the final four minutes to help the Bucks hold off an Indiana rally in the second half to win 141-131.
“We had a good rhythm and we were able to hold our own in the second half,” Bucks coach Mike Bodenholzer said. “These road wins are very impressive and there were some real positives, especially in the first half.”
Junior Holiday added 23 points and nine assists for Milwaukee, and Chris Middleton added 17 points despite only playing 15 minutes, according to the Associated Press.
Budenholzer even liked Antetokounmpo’s form on his late free throws as the Central Division-leading Bucks won for the third time in a row, this in front of a surprisingly friendly crowd.
For the Pacers, the scenario was a familiar slow start, deep hole and late comeback. They’ve won the NBA 11 times after trailing by double digits this season, twice after trailing by 20 points or more.
This time, however, the 33-point halftime deficit was too much. Miles Turner led the Pacers with 24 points and Buddy Held added 22 as Indiana lost for the ninth time in 10 games.
“The start we had was terrible,” said TJ McConnell, after finishing with 19 points and nine assists. “It was the speed. When we go out and run and play with speed, we’re so good. When we can’t stop, you see what happened in the first half.”
Milwaukee quickly took over with a balanced offense and amazing 3-point shooting. The Bucks capped off the ninth with a 15-3 run to close out the first quarter and give them a 45-30 lead. The charges continued through the second quarter as the margin expanded to 85-52 in the final minute of the half.
But Indiana finally answered in the third quarter, narrowing it to 114-99 and then approached methodically in the fourth quarter while repeatedly sending Antetokounmpo to the free throw line. With 3:27 to go, they were within 131-124 but the Bucks wouldn’t let Indiana get any closer.
Tip-ins
Bucks: 85 first-half points was a season high. … Antetokounmpo played his third straight game since missing five games with a right knee injury and was 7 of 18 on free throws. … Brook Lopez scored 15 points, Pat Connaughton 14, bringing the Pax 19 3s.
Pacers: Indiana lost its 10th straight in the series and fourth in a row to the Bucks in Indy. … Hield made five 3s to break a tie with Jason Richardson (1,608) for 31st on the NBA career list. Hield now has 196 this season and 1,613 in his career. … Rookie Benedict Mathurin scored 21 points and eight rebounds.
Leader
A day after Antetokounmpo was named to his seventh All-Star Game and once again selected as captain of the Eastern Conference team, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle made it clear how much he thinks of the one-time NBA champion and two-time MVP of the league.
“He’s as tough a guy as there is,” said Carlisle, the 885-game winner and 2010 champion. “Giannis is so unique, and I don’t think there will be a player quite like him in this league, maybe ever. He’s a monster, just an absolute monster.”
Halliburton update
Pacers guard Tyrese Halliburton has missed his ninth consecutive game since injuring his left elbow and left knee. When he was injured as a starter against the New York Knicks on January 11, team officials said he would be reevaluated in two weeks. Apparently, this schedule has been modified.
“I think it’s probably early next week,” Carlisle said when asked about the update. “But he’s doing well, doing well.”
next one
Bucks: Host New Orleans on Sunday.
Pacers: In Memphis on Sunday.