By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 35 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season and the Milwaukee Bucks won their sixth straight game, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 136-113.
In 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 two-time MVP got his 10th assist of the game by finding Grayson Allen for a 3-pointer that put the Bucks ahead 117-97 with 6:55 left. Antetokounmpo hit a 3-pointer 26 seconds later.
Antetokounmpo’s other triple-double this season came on Dec. 12, when he had 20 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 112-97 victory over the New York Knicks.
New Orleans’ Josh Hart narrowly missed a triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists.
Jordan Nwora had 23 points and shot 5 of 7 from 3-point range for the Bucks and Jrue Holiday scored 21.
Jaxson Hayes scored 23 points for the Pelicans. Spaniard Willy Hernangomez added 11.
New Orleans was missing its top two scorers with Brandon Ingram sitting out a second straight game due to a sore left Achilles and Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas entering COVID-19 protocols.
Milwaukee didn’t have two-time All-Star Khris Middleton or Donte DiVincenzo and climbed to a 25-13 record, while New Orleans dropped to 13-23.