The Milwaukee Bucks scored a whopping 85 factors within the first half as they escaped the speeding Indiana Pacers to win 141-131.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was at his greatest all time, scoring 41 factors and grabbing 12 rebounds and 6 assists whereas celebrating his affirmation because the captain of the NBA All-Star crew.
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Nevertheless it was a powerful dunk within the fourth quarter that bought the followers again on their toes.
With just below 9 minutes remaining, a misplaced cross from the Pacers ended up within the arms of Bucks’ Grayson Allen.
The previous Duke producer led the sphere, with Antetokounmpo a couple of paces behind him.
Simply earlier than Allen entered the bow, he seemed again and noticed Antitokonmo lurking outdoors.
Having drawn three defenders with him, Allen despatched the ball to Antetokounmpo who then flew proper off the charity bar and hit a dunk as he went previous Pacers ahead O’Shea Brissett.
Curry kicked out after blasting the pee! | 00:43
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Followers inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse had been surprised at what they noticed because the Bucks bench erupted in celebration.
Indiana had lower the result in eight factors with simply over 4 minutes remaining, attempting to take advantage of Antetokumbo’s troubles on the free throw line by fouling repeatedly.
The Milwaukee star helped maintain them off by making 5 free throws inside a minute, and whereas the Pacers bought a seven-point lead with 2:06 to play, they would not come shut.
Jrue Vacation scored 23 factors and had 9 assists for the Bucks. Miles Turner led the Pacers with 24 factors.
Antetokounmpo’s dominant efficiency got here a day after he was confirmed as a starter and captain of the crew in subsequent month’s All-Star recreation, as the highest vote-getter from the Japanese Convention.
This would be the third time the two-time NBA Most Useful Participant has acquired the dignity, after main the groups within the midseason exhibitions in 2019 and 2020.
The win improved the Bucks’ season document to 32-17 whereas the Pacers fell to 24-27.
Memphis Honor Nichols
The Grizzlies fell 111-100 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis, the place the sport was preceded by a minute’s silence honoring the reminiscence of Tyre Nichols — the Memphis man whose deadly blow led to homicide costs towards 5 law enforcement officials.
Anthony Edwards scored 25 factors to guide the Timberwolves.
Ja Morant scored thrice of 27 factors, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for Memphis, however the Grizzlies completed their street journey 0-5 on the heels of an 11-game profitable streak.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins stated earlier than the sport that his crew was saddened by the “devastating” information out of Memphis about Nichols throughout their street journey.
“It was laborious to course of,” Jenkins stated.
“There may be a lot emotion. We won’t wait to return residence to place our arms round everybody in Memphis as they grapple with the mindless lack of life.”
The loss of life of Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, after he was overwhelmed by 5 black officers after he was pulled over on suspicion of reckless driving has sparked concern across the NBA.
The league, the a number of groups in addition to the gamers, launched particular person statements providing condolences to Nichols’ household and urging quiet protests as police in Memphis launched video footage on Friday of the beating.
Memphis ahead Garren Jackson Jr. tweeted earlier than the sport to Nichols’ household, “Me and my teammates, nonetheless . We’re with you.”
The Nationwide Basketball Affiliation referred to as the pictures “terrifying” in a press release.
“Whereas there have been steps towards accountability on this case, the NBA household stays dedicated to partnering with advocates, policymakers, and regulation enforcement to work towards options to the problems we proceed to face,” the league stated.
Miami Warmth coach Eric Spoelstra spoke about Nichols earlier than his crew’s 110-105 win over the Orlando Magic, saying “That is simply loopy.”
Giddey stars once more like a thunderbolt caves
In Oklahoma Metropolis, the Thunder took benefit of the absence of Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell to shock the Cavaliers 112-100.
Shay Gilgos Alexander led the Thunder with 35 factors, his fourth consecutive recreation with a minimum of 30 factors as Oklahoma Metropolis battled to enter the postseason match.
Australian famous person Josh Gede performed one other essential supporting function, ending with 15 factors from six out of 12, six rebounds and three assists.
Which means that Jedi scored a minimum of 10 factors in all 13 video games in January. Based on Bally Sports activities Oklahoma, the Australian guard averaged 18.6 factors on 52 % from the sphere, in addition to 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
Geddy was significantly spectacular within the second half towards Cleveland, persistently slamming the ball to the bottom at a brisk tempo to place the Cavaliers protection beneath strain.
“We have stops, and that permits us to go on the assault,” Gedi informed reporters after the match. “I believe when we now have 5 gamers on the bottom who can deal with the ball and make performs, it is a luxurious. I believe the extra we get from that, the higher we get.
“I used to be simply attempting to get the rhythm, attempting to push the tempo going – whether or not it was for myself or my teammates – and we had been getting fairly good.
“We had a great lead early on in that (the fourth quarter) and the tempo push was a part of that. However I believe once we began on the half of the court docket that we executed, we bought caught on the opposite finish. Either side of the ball within the final 12 minutes had been actually good.”
Warriors withdraw
In San Francisco, Stephen Curry scored 35 factors and Klay Thompson added 29 because the late NBA champions Golden State Warriors edged the Toronto Raptors 129-117.
Curry additionally delivered 11 of the Warriors’ 40 tackles in an entertaining shootout that noticed the hosts lastly come away with a 31-point lead within the fourth quarter.
Jonathan Cuminga scored 15 factors to guide the Golden State Reserves, who outscored their Raptors friends 39-26.
Fred Van Fleet had 28 factors and 10 assists for the Raptors, who misplaced OG Anunoby to a wrist damage within the first half when he fell laborious on his left facet when he was fouled whereas working in direction of the basket.
Full outcomes
Pacers 131-141 {dollars}
Timberwolves 111-100 grizzlies
thunder 112-100 Cavaliers
the warmth 110-105 Magic
129- Goats-117 Raptors