By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Khris Middleton became the driving force guiding the Milwaukee Bucks to the win, 132-122, against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Sundays Showcase matchup.
Middleton, 30, banked in a season-high 44 points. He paved the way for the fourth win in a row improving the overall W-L record to 40-25.
Despite being limited to two points after the break of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season contest, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double to go along with six assists, three blocks, and one steal. One of his three rejections ignited the game-ending 12-1 run down the stretch.
The Greek Freak dealing with foul trouble as well generated additional shifts for Serge Ibaka. The Congolese-Spanish big man produced a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double plus two blocks and one assist coming off the bench. Thanasis Antetokounmpo stayed on the bench and Sandro Mamukelashvili on a G League assignment.
Croatian Dario Saric recovering from the right knee injury suffered during the 2022 NBA Finals opposite the Bucks was among the missing players for the leaders of the NBA standings. The Suns fell to 51-13.
Tipping off NBA Sundays, Jayson Tatum erupted for 54 points as the Boston Celtics edged the Brooklyn Nets, 126-120. German center Daniel Theis chipped in three points, one rebound, one assist, and one block coming off the bench.
The Celtics improved to 39-27 and dropped the Nets to 32-33. Slovenian Goran Dragic had seven points, six rebounds, and one assist lasting 22 minutes at the losing end.
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