Giannis Antetokounmpo set a new career high with 64 points in a win against the Indiana Pacers. It was the first 60-point game this season. After the game there was trouble about the match ball – in the end it all turned out to be a misunderstanding.
Milwaukee Bucks (17-7) – Indiana Pacers (13-9) 140:126 (BOXSCORE)
In addition, Antetokounmpo also broke the franchise record for most points in a game, which had been held by Michael Redd since November 2006. The forward once scored 57 points in a defeat in Utah. Antetokounmpo’s best score before the game against the Pacers was 55 points, which he scored against the Washington Wizards on January 3rd.
Giannis had already scored 54 points in a game against Indiana in November, but a week ago the Bucks lost to the Pacers in the semifinals of the in-season tournament. This time the Bucks were ahead again, largely thanks to Antetokounmpo, who scored his 64 points without a single three-pointer (0/3 3P). Instead, the Greek converted 20 of his 28 throws and went to the free throw line an incredible 32 times, of which he was able to hit 24.
However, the game was not entirely without controversy. When Antetokounmpo broke Redd’s franchise record with 3:25 minutes left, the two-time MVP took a seat on the bench at +19. But since the Pacers scored 9 points in a row in less than 90 seconds, Bucks coach Adrian Griffin sent his starters onto the field again and Antetokounmpo scored another 6 points, including a dunk in transition with 26 seconds left on the clock, which wasn’t more would have been necessary.
The Pacers didn’t like that so much, so after the game an assistant coach (apparently) grabbed the game ball and disappeared into the locker room. Antetokounmpo followed him, As a result, he stormed back onto the fieldto voice Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s opinion and demand the game ball. Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce was then able to calm things down a bit.
Giannis records best value: dispute over the game ball
There had been repeated niggles during the game. Antetokounmpo missed Haliburton after a dunk by the Pacers guard a little bumplater wrestling Aaron Nesmith the Greeks to the groundto prevent two secure points, which also led to a small scuffle.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle explained the “stealing” of the game ball after the game as follows: “It was a misunderstanding. We took the ball because our rookie Oscar Tshiebwe scored his first NBA point,” said the coachto also note that general manager Chad Buchanan was tackled by the Bucks in the locker room: “They elbowed him in the ribs. They’re now bruised, if not worse.”
And on the subject of game balls. Carlisle also admitted after the game that they had mistakenly taken the reserve ball. As can be seen on a video, a man from security grabbed the “real” game ball in order to later hand it to Antetokounmpo.
But the Greek wasn’t so sure: “I don’t know. I have a ball, but it doesn’t feel like the match ball. It feels brand new. I played for 35 minutes, I know what the right one is like “The ball feels bad, but I’m just going to take it and give it to my mother. It’s okay, life goes on.”
NBA – Bucks vs. Pacers: Die Stats-Leader der Partie
2023-12-14 12:31:52
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