2023-12-14 09:00:15
Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo shined and led his team, the Milwaukee Bucks, to defeat its guest, the Indiana Pacers, 140-126, by scoring 64 points, while the Los Angeles Lakers deepened the wounds of its host, the San Antonio Spurs, despite the absence of its star, LeBron James, by beating them 122-119 on Wednesday in the NBA.
At Fiserv Forum Stadium, the Bucks settled the awaited confrontation between the two highest-scoring teams in the league this season, taking revenge on the Pacers, who eliminated them from the semi-finals of the first edition of the In-Season Cup.
The Bucks owe their 17th win in 24 games, and their ninth defeat against the Pacers in 22 games, to Antetokounmpo, who set a record in the club’s history by finishing the intense match with 64 points, after succeeding in 20 of his 28 attempts, in addition to 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals.
The Greek star surpassed Michael Redd’s record in 2006 when he scored 57 points against the Utah Jazz (111-113), surpassing by nine points his personal record that he achieved last January, when he scored 55 points against the Washington Wizards (123-113). ).
Antetokounmpo scored a historic record after finishing the match with 64 points (AFP)
Bucks coach Adrian Griffin praised his star, saying: “He is an unstoppable player.” He cannot be defended with a man-to-man plan. There are also many good players surrounding him, but at the end of the day, it’s all about him, his talent, his ability, his desire. “He has a tremendous desire to win. He will do anything possible to win. What a great performance.”
The Greek succeeded in 24 out of 32 free throws, becoming the first player in the history of the league to succeed in 20 or more shots with 20 or more free throws with a success rate of 70 percent or more in both categories during one match. He also became the holder of the highest number of points with less than thirty. An attempt in the history of the league.
He commented on what he did in the match, which his team completely dominated and in which the margin in his favor reached 22 points at one point, saying: “It is a wonderful feeling to be able to do that. I try as much as possible to play basketball for the right reasons. I try to play basketball to win, I try to help my teammates be great. But at the end of the day, to be able to break this record in front of our fans in this stadium is a great feeling, too.”
The match, in which Damian Lillard (21 points) and Bobby Portis (19 points) stood out on the Bucks side, was also characterized by exaggerated rushing at times, and the two teams entered into a fight during the last quarter when Arne Nesmith committed a harsh foul on Antetokounmpo during the latter’s penetration towards the Pacers basket. Then the scene was repeated after the final whistle due to the desire of both teams to obtain the match ball.
Victor Wimpanyama did not save Spurs from their 18th defeat (Getty)
18th consecutive defeat for SpursDespite the efforts of French newcomer Victor Wimpanyama, who scored 30 points with 13 rebounds and 6 defensive interceptions, San Antonio’s suffering continued as it suffered its eighteenth consecutive defeat and the twentieth in 23 games, at the hands of its guest Lakers 119-122.
In light of the absence of LeBron James due to a calf injury that will keep him out of the next match against the Spurs as well, Anthony Davis shined (37 points with 10 rebounds) and played the main role in his team’s 15th win in 25 games.
Spurs have not tasted victory since November 2, in a series that is the worst in the club’s history, despite the efforts of Wimbanyama, who became the first “rookie” to score 30 or more points for the team with 10 or more rebounds and 6 interceptions since Tim Duncan in 1998.
The young Frenchman said after the match: “I think his numbers would have been better if we had won.”
Spurs seemed able to end the losing streak when they outscored their visitors 45-30 in the last quarter, which they started trailing by 20 points.
With a three-pointer from Wimbanyama 1.29 minutes before the end, Spurs reduced the gap to 5 points, 110-115, then to 116-117, 22 seconds before the end, after a free throw from the Frenchman, who committed his sixth foul 8.8 minutes before the end, leaving his team trailing 116-119. Which made the task easier for the Lakers at the crucial time.
Cameroonian Joel Embiid scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half, and added 11 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia Sixers to victory over the host Detroit Pistons 129-111, inflicting the latter’s twenty-first defeat in a row and the twenty-second in 24 games he played this season.
Thanks to 40 points from Brandon Ingram and 27 from Trae Murphy, including 6 three-pointers, the New Orleans Pelicans achieved their 14th victory, which came at the expense of their host Washington Wizards 142-122, while the Houston Rockets achieved their 11th consecutive victory at home out of 12 home matches in total by defeating… The injured Memphis Grizzlies 117-104, despite Jaren Jackson shining among the visitors by scoring 44 points.
The Phoenix Suns lost at home to the Brooklyn Nets 112-116 despite the efforts of their star Devin Booker (34 points, 12 assists and 4 rebounds), while the Utah Jazz beat the New York Knicks 117-113, and the Miami Heat beat the Charlotte Hornets 115-104.
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