Antetokounmpo’s triple-double helps Bucks beat Pacers
MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists despite sitting out the fourth quarter, and the Milwaukee Bucks routed the Indiana Pacers 130-110 on Wednesday night.
The reigning two-time MVP shot 7 of 8 from the floor and 7 of 8 from the line in a remarkably efficient performance.
Antetokounmpo completed the triple-double in the final minute of the third quarter when he got his 10th assist, setting up Bobby Portis for a corner 3-pointer that capped a 10-0 run and gave the Bucks a 34-point advantage.
The Bucks already had a commanding lead before they closed the third with a 30-11 run. Milwaukee led by as many as 40 in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee never trailed and shot 21 of 48 from 3-point range in its last home contest before beginning a six-game trip. The Bucks have gone 42 of 90 on 3-point attempts over their last two games.
The Bucks have made at least 20 3-pointers in five of their 21 games this season. Before this season, the Bucks had made as many as 20 3-pointers in a game just four times in franchise history.
Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis scored a career-high 33 points and had 12 rebounds and six assists, delivering a big performance for a second straight night. Sabonis had matched a career high with 32 points Tuesday in the Pacers’ 134-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Bucks had balanced scoring as Bryn Forbes scored 20 points, Portis 18, Donte DiVincenzo 16 and Khris Middleton 12. Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez added 11 points each.
Justin Holiday had 15 points for the Pacers. Doug McDermott had 13, Malcolm Brogdon 12.
TIP INS
Pacers: Center Myles Turner played through a sore right shoulder that left him questionable, but he wasn’t effective. He had three points, two rebounds, two steals and one block in 23 minutes. Turner entered the night averaging 14.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and a league-high 4 blocks.
Bucks: Milwaukee assigned three players to NBA G League teams earlier in the day. They assigned Jordan Nwora to the Salt Lake City Stars and Sam Merrill to the Memphis Hustle while transferring two-way forward Mamadi Diakite to the Lakeland Magic. The Bucks’ own G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, opted against participating in the league’s modified season.
UP NEXT
Pacers: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. The Pacers beat the Pelicans 118-116 in overtime at New Orleans on Jan. 4.
Bucks: Begin a six-game road swing with back-to-back matchups at Cleveland on Friday and Saturday. The Bucks swept their three meetings with the Cavaliers last season.
