Giannis led Bucks vs Pacers with a powerful double-double

By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net

Giannis Antetokounmpo fended off the final push of Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis from the free throw line and completed another great performance to lead Milwaukee Bucks to a 141-131 win.

The Greek Freak finished the game with a powerful double-double of 41 points and 12 rebounds and made and made five of eight free throws during the final four minutes to help the Bucks repel the host’s final push.

With that, the Eastern Conference All-Star captain has the most 40-point games in the NBA since 2020 (regular season + playoffs).

Milwaukee had a 33-point lead at halftime, but Indiana got within seven points with three and a half minutes to go. Antetokounmpo scored five points from the free throw line in a row and paved the way for another win.

“He’s as difficult a guy to guard as there is,” Indiana’s coach Carlisle said. “Giannis is unique, and I don’t think there will ever be a player quite like him in this league, maybe ever. He’s a beast, just an absolute beast.”

In other games, Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Memphis Grizzlies at home 111-100, despite Ja Morant’s triple-double.

He had 27 points, ten rebounds, and 11 assists but conceded his first career loss while recording a triple-double.

Rudy Gobert got seven points and 13 rebounds for the winning side, while Santi Aldama finished the game with only five points and four rebounds.

Miami Heat won 110-105 against Orlando Magic in the Florida derby.

The hots secured the W in the final period, even with European duo Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner leading the losing side with 19 points each. Moritz Wagner added nine points for the Magic.

With 35 points, Shai Gilgeous Alexander led Oklahoma City Thunder to a 112-100 win against Cleveland Cavaliers, as the Turkish national team player Cedi Osman scored five points for the losing team.

The Splash brothers led Golden State Warriors to a 129-117 win versus Toronto Raptors, with Steph Curry scoring 35 and Klay Thompson 29 points.

OG Anunoby got just one point for the losing side, while Juancho Hernangomez didn’t score but recorded three rebounds.

Solid performances from Toronto’s African duo Pascal Siakam and Precious Achiuwa didn’t help, as the Cameroonian got 21 points and the Nigerian 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Friday’s (27/1) NBA results and notable Euro performers:

Indiana Pacers – Milwaukee Bucks 131-141 (Antetokounmpo 41p, 12r, 6as)
Minnesota Timberwolves – Memphis Grizzlies 111-100 (Gobert 7p, 13r – Aldama 5p, 4r)
Miami Heat – Orlando Magic 110-105 (Banchero, F. Wagner 19, M. Wagner 9p)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Cleveland Cavaliers 112-100 (Cedi Osman 5p)
Golden State Warriors – Toronto Raptors 129-117 (Anunoby 1p, Hernangomez 3r)

2022-23 STANDINGS

EAST

TEAM	W	L	LAST 10
1 BOSTON	35	15	7-3
2 PHILADELPHIA	31	16	8-2
3 MILWAUKEE	32	17	7-3
4 BROOKLYN	29	19	4-6
5 CLEVELAND	30	21	4-6
6 MIAMI	28	22	7-3
7 NEW YORK	27	23	5-5
8 ATLANTA	25	24	7-3
9 INDIANA	24	26	1-9
10 WASHINGTON	22	26	5-5
11 CHICAGO	22	26	5-5
12 TORONTO	22	28	5-5
13 ORLANDO	19	30	5-5
14 CHARLOTTE	14	36	3-7
15 DETROIT	13	37	3-7

WEST

TEAM	W	L	LAST 10
1 DENVER	34	15	8-2
2 MEMPHIS	31	18	5-5
3 SACRAMENTO	27	20	7-3
4 NEW ORLEANS	26	23	2-8
5 LA CLIPPERS	27	24	6-4
6 DALLAS	26	24	3-7
7 GOLDEN STATE	25	24	5-5
8 MINNESOTA	26	25	6-4
9 PHOENIX	25	25	5-5
10 UTAH	25	26	5-5
11 OKLAHOMA CITY	24	25	7-3
12 PORTLAND	23	25	4-6
13 LA LAKERS	23	26	5-5
14 SAN ANTONIO	14	35	1-9
15 HOUSTON	11	38	1-9