Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes Bucks’ scoring leader in OT win over Nets

Giannis Antetokounmpo liked the truth that he grew to become Milwaukee’s profession scoring chief on a 3-pointer, so no person can say he is only a dunker anymore.

In any other case, there was no motive for celebrating after passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

“Once I’m achieved we will speak about it, however now there’s no time,” Antetokoumpo mentioned, waiting for Friday’s recreation towards the Clippers. “There’s issues that need to be achieved.”

Antetokounmpo’s record-setting 3-pointer pressured extra time, and he made two free throws within the ultimate seconds to present the Bucks a 120-119 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday evening.

The defending NBA champions clinched a return to the postseason with the win, through which Antetokounmpo had 44 factors, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Jrue Vacation added 19 factors and Khris Middleton had 16 earlier than being ejected for a flagrant foul halfway by the third quarter.

Kevin Durant had 26 factors, 11 assists and 7 rebounds for the Nets, however missed a 3-pointer that might have received it. Kyrie Irving scored 25 factors and Bruce Brown had 23.

Simply as within the memorable finish to their second-round sequence final summer time, when the Bucks overcame 48 factors from Durant — most ever in a Recreation 7 — extra time was wanted to find out a winner. Milwaukee took that one 115-111 and pulled it out Thursday behind a second straight 40-point recreation from Antetokounmpo.

The Greek Freak has been dismissed, famously by James Harden, as an important athlete however not essentially a talented basketball participant. However the NBA Finals MVP has change into a assured shooter and his teammates are assured in him.

“We simply battle, compete, compete and know that clearly it helps to have that huge fellow in your staff that may actually break a recreation open for you and make performs,” Bucks swingman Wesley Matthews mentioned.

Antetokounmpo got here into the sport 39 factors behind Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s profession scoring chief who had 14,211 factors after starting his profession in Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo handed him with 18 seconds left to knot the sport at 110.

The Bucks and Nets may very well be headed for a first-round matchup this yr. The Bucks are a half-game behind Miami for the highest spot within the Jap Convention, whereas the Nets are tied for eighth and may possible hope for nothing higher than the No. 7 or 8 seed by popping out of the play-in event.

The Bucks led by 4 in extra time however the Nets rallied to take a 119-118 lead when Durant was fouled on a 3-point try and made all three pictures with 8.7 seconds left. Antetokounmpo shortly rushed into the lane and was fouled by Nic Claxton. He made each free throws and completed 15 of 19 from the road.

The Nets led 99-96 with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation when Antetokounmpo re-entered the sport however threw a nasty cross that Brown grabbed and gave the impression to be on his method to an uncontested layup. However Middleton raced again and grabbed Brown’s higher arm as he was within the air, sending him to a tough touchdown. Referees reviewed the replay and knowledgeable a shocked Middleton that he obtained the harsher Flagrant 2 and was ejected.

Crew chief John Goble mentioned the play was dominated a Flagrant 2 as a result of a “excessive potential for harm.”

Brown made the free throws, Irving scored and the Nets constructed a 108-99 lead when Durant threw down Irving’s lob cross with 3:52 left. However they managed solely two extra factors in regulation.

“It was simply a kind of video games that acquired funky on the finish, however we’ve simply acquired to complete it out in regulation,” Irving mentioned.

TIP-INS

Bucks: Coach Mike Budenholzer coached in Brooklyn for the primary time this season, having missed the Bucks’ 121-109 victory on Jan. 7 whereas within the NBA’s well being and security protocols.

Nets: Coach Steve Nash mentioned he isn’t intently watching the outcomes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who’ve tumbled all the best way to seventh within the East. If they continue to be behind Toronto, the removes the potential for having to play a play-in recreation in Canada, the place the unvaccinated Irving is unable to journey.

“I’m not averse to seeing how they’re doing and the place they’re at, nevertheless it’s not one thing that I’m, like I mentioned the opposite day, refreshing my feed day by day,” Nash mentioned.

THE GREEK’S KNEE

Although Antetokounmpo appeared on the harm report with proper knee soreness, Budenholzer mentioned it’s nothing past what the two-time NBA MVP has been coping with for years.

“I feel it’s in a great place,” Budenholzer mentioned. “I don’t assume it’s something that we’re involved about, however there’s a day by day consideration and energy that it takes from the sports activities efficiency staff and him and what he does to be his greatest. It’s spectacular.”

UP NEXT

Bucks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

Nets: Go to Atlanta on Saturday.