Milwaukee Feb 16 (BUS): Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points, two points off his career best, and dropped 14 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to overtake the Indiana Pacers 128-119 on Tuesday night.
The Bucks (36-23) swept the Pacers’ four-game season streak and won eight games in a row against their first-division opponent, the Associated Press reported.
Antetokounmpo, who did not play in Milwaukee’s loss to Portland on Monday night due to a left ankle injury, showed no ill effects as he racked up 12 points in the first quarter including a pair of resounding dives and 3 pointers.
“I felt better,” Antetokonmo said. “I was relieved.”
Antetokounmpo hit a career high with his seventh game of 40 points this season and scored 50 goals for the first time since last season’s NBA Finals title game against Phoenix, which gave the Bucks their first championship in 50 years. It was the fourth 50-point game in his nine-year career, including post-season.
Ignore the best player in the NBA Finals achievement.
“Obviously, it feels great to have 50, you will always remember, but I am interested in winning. I want to win matches,” Antetokounmo said. “We have another one on Thursday. We’ll try to finish and go to the all-star break well. As long as we win, I’m fine. You do whatever it takes. If you’re thinking of letting me hit 50, let me get what I have, it just doesn’t work that way. You have to focus on winning matches.”
Milwaukee bounced back after consecutive double-digit losses to hand Indiana (19-40) its seventh straight defeat.
Antetokounmpo scored 12 points in the first quarter, six in the second, 13 in the third and 19 in the last period. He made 17 of 21 shots from the field and was 14 of 18 in the foul streak.
“He’s in a good place and a good rhythm at the free throw line,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “You get 14 of those and two of those 3 balls and you can add up to it. Fifty is never easy. It’s great he’s back.”
It’s only the 12th time in NBA history that a player has scored 50 or more points in a shot of 80% or better.
“It makes it sound so easy,” said fellow Jordan Nora.
Both teams only had 10 players due to injuries.
Buddy Heald scored a season-high 36 points, while Therese Halliburton scored 17 points and eight assists for Indiana.
“We’re in a tough phase right now,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
Halliburton said the Pacers fought back throughout the match but were unable to overcome Antetokounmpo’s dominant performance.
“He made it really tough on us,” Halliburton said. “It’s a burden.”
The Bucks led 34-27 after the first quarter before the Pacers snatched a short-term lead halfway through the second quarter. Three-pointers by reserve guard Lyndell Wigginton sparked a 12-2 lunge that increased the lead to double digits. Milwaukee led 69-63 in the first half, following in Antetokounmue’s 18-point lead.
Milwaukee built a nine-point pair lead in third but couldn’t shake the Pacers. When Indiana came close again for fourth, Antetokounmpo waved 3 and added a pair of free throws after a clear track foul and Milwaukee eventually increased its lead to 14 before blocking the Pacers.
Hint
Pacers: SAT Chris Duarte (left big toe), Isaiah Jackson (right ankle sprain), J Malcolm Brugdon (right Achillesitis) and C-Miles Turner (left foot problem). …Haliburton didn’t attempt a shot from the field until the 3-pointer sank about four minutes into the second quarter. …he scored 13 points from nine Milwaukee turnarounds in the first half. … Kiefer Sykes had 10 points off the bench. … Lance Stevenson whistled for foul 1 after hitting Antetokounmpo in the face while fighting for a loose ball. … Galen Smith made a mistake while playing for only 17 minutes.
Bucks: J. Wesley Matthews didn’t play due to right toe soreness and J. George Hill missed his eighth game in a row with a neck problem. … J. Grayson Allen came out with a sore left thigh. … Wigginton scored a career high of 12 points, surpassing his previous record of 11 the night before. …Serge Ibaka, who started in place of Antetokonmo on Monday, scored nine points in 24 minutes in his second game for the Milwaukee after being acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers.
High in Halliburton
Carlisle spoke glowingly about Haliburton, which the Pacers acquired in a deal with Sacramento on February 8.
“Everything about him has impressed me. His down-to-earth abilities are phenomenal. They are diverse. He has a natural leadership aura about him. His wisdom and presence transcend his years. He doesn’t walk on earth like a 21-year-old. He gets out there like a veteran for several,” Carlisle said. years in this league.
Budenholzer added his praise to Haliburton, who averages 14.6 points per game. “He’s an impressive young player,” said Budenholzer. “He has amazing poise and confidence.”
next one
Pacers: Host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
Bucks: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.