MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 factors, two off his profession finest, and pulled down 14 rebounds to guide the Milwaukee Bucks previous the skidding Indiana Pacers 128-119 on Tuesday evening.
The Bucks (36-23) swept the four-game season collection from the Pacers and have received eight straight in opposition to their Central Division foe.
Antetokounmpo, who didn’t play in Milwaukee’s loss to Portland on Monday evening due to a sore left ankle, confirmed no sick results as he racked up 12 first-quarter factors that included a pair of thunderous dunks and a 3-pointer.
“I felt approach higher,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “I used to be rested.”
Antetokounmpo set a profession excessive together with his seventh 40-point recreation of the season and scored 50 for the primary time because the memorable title-clinching recreation within the NBA Finals final season in opposition to Phoenix, which gave the Bucks their first championship in 50 years. It was the fourth 50-point recreation of his nine-year profession, together with the postseason.
The NBA Finals MVP shrugged off the accomplishment.
“Clearly, it’s a pleasant feeling to have 50, you’ll at all times keep in mind it, however I care in regards to the win. I need to win video games,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “We’ve got one other one on Thursday. We’ll attempt to end and go to the All-Star break on a very good be aware. So long as we’re successful, I’m good. You do no matter it takes. If you’re fascinated with let me get to 50, let me get mine, it doesn’t work that approach. It’s important to deal with successful video games.”
Milwaukee bounced again after consecutive double-digit losses at hand Indiana (19-40) its seventh consecutive defeat.
Antetokounmpo scored 12 factors within the first quarter, six within the second, 13 within the third and 19 within the last interval. He made 17 of 21 pictures from the sector and was 14 of 18 on the foul line. The 21 makes an attempt had been the fourth fewest in a 50-point recreation in NBA historical past, in line with ESPN.
“He’s in a very good place and good rhythm on the free-throw line,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned. “You get 14 of these and a few 3-balls and it could add up for him. Fifty isn’t straightforward. It’s nice to have him again.”
It marked solely the twelfth time in NBA historical past {that a} participant has scored 50 or extra factors on 80% capturing or higher.
“He makes it look really easy,” teammate Jordan Nwora mentioned.
Each groups had solely 10 gamers out there because of accidents.
Buddy Hield scored a season-high 36 factors and Tyrese Haliburton had 17 factors and eight assists for Indiana.
“We’re in a tricky stretch proper now,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle mentioned.
Haliburton mentioned the Pacers battled all through the sport however simply couldn’t overcome Antetokounmpo’s dominating efficiency.
“He made it powerful on us,” Haliburton mentioned. “He’s a load.”
The Bucks led 34-27 after the primary quarter earlier than the Pacers grabbed a short-lived lead halfway by means of the second. A pair of 3-pointers by reserve guard Lindell Wigginton sparked a 12-2 surge that grew the result in double digits. Milwaukee led 69-63 at halftime, paced by Antetokounmpo’s 18 factors.
Milwaukee constructed a pair of nine-point leads within the third however couldn’t shake the Pacers. When Indiana obtained shut once more within the fourth, Antetokounmpo swished a 3 and added a pair of free throws after a clear-path foul and Milwaukee ultimately elevated its result in 14 earlier than holding off the Pacers down the stretch.
