Antetokounmpo scores 41 to energy Bucks previous Pacers
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrated his affirmation as an NBA All-Star crew captain by pouring in 41 factors to propel the Bucks to a 141-131 NBA victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday because the Memphis Grizzlies’ slide continued.
The Bucks scored a season-high 85 first-half factors and led by as many as 33 earlier than keeping off a late Pacers rally in Indianapolis, notching a 3rd straight victory.
Indiana had sliced the deficit to eight factors with simply over 4 minutes remaining, making an attempt to take advantage of Antetokoumpo’s troubles on the free-throw line by fouling him repeatedly.
The Milwaukee star, who pulled down 12 rebounds and handed out six assists, helped fend them off by making 5 free throws within the area of a minute and whereas the Pacers obtained the hole to seven factors with 2:06 to play they might get no nearer.
Jrue Vacation scored 23 factors and handed out 9 assists for the Bucks.
Myles Turner led the Pacers with 24 factors.
Antetokounmpo’s dominant efficiency, together with a wide ranging fourth-quarter dunk over Oshae Brissett, got here a day after he was confirmed as a starter and crew captain for subsequent month’s All-Star sport, as the highest vote-getter from the Jap Convention.
Will probably be the third time the two-time NBA Most Worthwhile Participant has had the respect, after main groups within the mid-season exhibition in 2019 and 2020.
The Grizzlies fell 111-100 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis, the place the sport was preceded by a second of silence to honor the reminiscence of Tyre Nichols — the Memphis man whose deadly beating has led to homicide costs towards 5 cops.
Anthony Edwards scored 25 factors to steer the Timberwolves.
Ja Morant had a triple-double of 27 factors, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for Memphis, however the Grizzlies completed their highway journey 0-5 on the heels of an 11-game successful streak.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins stated earlier than the sport his crew had been saddened by the “devastating” information rising from Memphis about Nichols throughout their weeklong highway journey.
“It has been laborious to course of,” Jenkins stated. “There’s a variety of emotion. We won’t wait to get again dwelling to place our arms round everybody in Memphis as they battle with the mindless lack of life.”
The demise of Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, after he was overwhelmed by 5 Black officers after he was stopped on suspicion of reckless driving, sparked concern across the NBA.
The league and a number of groups in addition to particular person gamers posted statements providing condolences to Nichols’ household and urging calm protest as police in Memphis launched video footage on Friday of the beating.
Memphis ahead Jaren Jackson Jr. addressed a tweet earlier than the sport to Nichols’ household saying “my teammates and I are and have been paying consideration. We’re with you.”
The NBA referred to as the photographs “horrifying” in an announcement.
“Whereas there have been steps towards accountability on this occasion, the NBA household stays dedicated to partnering with advocates, policymakers and legislation enforcement to work towards options to the problems we proceed to face,” the league stated.
– Thunder shock Cavs –
Miami Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra spoke about Nichols earlier than his crew’s 110-105 victory over the Orlando Magic, saying “that is simply loopy.”
In Oklahoma Metropolis, the Thunder capitalized on the absence of Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell to shock the Cavaliers 112-100.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 factors, his fourth straight sport with no less than 30 factors as Oklahoma Metropolis battle to get themselves into the postseason play-in match.
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