Milwaukee Jan. 2 (BUS): Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in his second triple-double of the season and the Milwaukee Bucks won their sixth game in a row by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 136-113 on Saturday night. .
In the four games since returning from COVID-19 protocols that caused him to miss five games, Antetokounmpo has averaged 33 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists, the AP reports.
The two-time MVP earned the game’s 10th assist by finding a three-pointer Grayson Allen that put the Bucks ahead 117-97 with a 6:55 left. Antetokounmpo hit 3 pointers after 26 seconds.
Antetokounmpo’s other double of the season came on December 12, when he collected 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 112-97 win over the New York Knicks.
New Orleans’ Josh Hart narrowly missed a hat-trick with 14 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
The Bucks have scored over 120 points in three consecutive games. They just scored a sweep in two games in Orlando with a 127-110 and 136-118 victory over the Magic.
The two 136-point performances represent Milwaukee’s highest output of the season.
Jordan Nora scored 23 points and shot 5 of 7 out of a 3-point range for the Bucks. Junior Holiday scored 21, Allen added 16 points, and Bobby Portez added 14 points.
Jackson Hayes scored 23 points for the Pelicans. Devont Graham, Hart, Herbert Jones and Garrett Temple each scored 14 points each. Nickel Alexander Walker added 13 and Willie Hernangómez scored 11.
New Orleans were missing out on their top scorer as Brandon Ingram lost a second game in a row due to a painful left Achilles injury and Jonas Valanciunas entering COVID-19 protocols.
Milwaukee hasn’t had either Khris Middleton or Donte DeVincenzo twice.
Middleton was taken out for personal reasons and Devincenzo had a sprained left ankle. DiVincenzo didn’t make his season debut until Christmas Day as he was recovering from a torn ankle ligament.
Hint
Pelicans: Hart nearly scored a triple-double despite firing 1 of 6 from the 3-point range and 3 of 9 off the line. Hart is 4 of 15 in free throw attempts against the Bucks. He’s 63 of 73 on the line against all the other teams.
Bucks: Milwaukee were also missing reserve forwards Thanassis Antetokonmo and Simi Ogli due to NBA health and safety protocols. …Rodney Hood came off the bench late in the first quarter in his first game appearance since December 23.
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The Pelicans: Hosted the Utah Jazz on Monday for their first three consecutive home games.
Bucks: Host the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The Bucks have won their last 12 games with the Pistons.