Bennedict Mathurin found his ease under the basket and led the Indiana Pacers offensively in a game that unfortunately ended 149-136 in favor of the mighty Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Quebecer made a personal best of 11 baskets for a total of 29 points, three less than his mark of 32 established in his seventh game in the NBA. The rookie player spent 41 minutes on the floor, also leading his team with nine rebounds.
The Bucks attack was carried by two men: Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The first outdid himself with 51 points, a career high, while the second went there with a triple-double of 38 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists.
The Pacers (33-44) have lost their last four games and the playoffs continue to slip through their fingers. No problem for the Bucks (55-21), who have already won the Central Division championship.
- Jean-François Baril looks back on Bennedict Mathurin’s performance in his daily sports segment via QUB radio :
Big sleep game
In Oklahoma City, Luguentz Dort won an important face-off in the final seconds of the game as the Thunder scored the points for a 107-106 win over the Detroit Pistons.
In a game the home side couldn’t afford to lose, a kickoff with 7.3 seconds left on the scoreboard was called by the officials. The Montrealer rushed full length to pass the ball to his teammate Josh Giddey. If the throw of the latter did not enter the basket, that of Jalen Williams to recover the rebound was good. With 0.1 seconds on the clock, the Thunder secured the win.
Dort finished the game with 20 points, six rebounds and one assist. Only Williams did better than him with 27 points.
The Thunder (38-39) gave themselves a little air in 10th place in the Western Conference with the loss of the Dallas Mavericks (37-40). Remember that the 10 best teams will reach the playoffs.
