By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Milwaukee Bucks to the 117-114 victory against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum, Sunday afternoon.
The two-time MVP had 20 points at the break and produced his side’s first 16 points in the second half of the championship contenders collision. Antetokounmpo ended up with 49 points, three short of his career-high. He also neared his personal best with 4/8 triples and additionally logged eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and one steal, a couple of days after missing the win versus the Chicago Bulls with a right ankle sprain.
His brother Thanasis and Latvian Rodions Kurucs did not enter the Regular Season fixture. French Axel Toupane was sidelined alongside Bobby Portis, a last-minute scratch due to stomach illness.
The guests missed James Harden, Chris Chiozza, and Spencer Dinwiddie, but jumped to an early 14-point lead. Kevin Durant’s 42 points behind 16/33 field goals and seven triples were countered by his failed attempt to force five extra minutes for the Eastern Conference heavyweights.
Mike James, in his last game before his first ten-day contract expires, missed his only shot but put up an assist over five minutes. French teammate Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot did not play.
The Bucks at 40-24 and Nets at 43-22 will face each other again in the same venue on Tuesday.
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