Injured in early December, Giannis Antetokounmpo shone in his return and led Milwaukee to victory in Chicago on Saturday in the NBA, while San Antonio’s series of eight successes ended against Utah, despite Victor Wembanyama’s 32 points.
“Greek Freak” on fire
Giannis Antetokounmpo had not stepped on the floor with the Bucks for eight matches and his calf injury on December 4. The double MVP quickly regained his automatisms against the Bulls, stopped 112-103 after five consecutive victories. In 25 minutes, the 31-year-old Greek scored 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The “Greek Freak” was particularly decisive at the end of the match, linking drives, free throws and dunks just before the buzzer.
“When he is not on the field, we can experience periods of drought,” admitted Bucks coach Doc Rivers, while without him Milwaukee had won only two matches out of eight.
“wemby” n’a pas suffi
Victor Wembanyama reappeared in the Spurs major five, after seven matches starting on the bench since his return from injury on December 13. The 21-year-old Frenchman compiled 32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks and 3 assists in 28 minutes, but was unable to prevent his team’s defeat in their home arena against the Utah Jazz, winner 127-114.
“Wemby” nevertheless put on a show by multiplying the dunks, one of which was in his first action of the match and another impressive in the last quarter in the middle of four opponents.
But opposite, Lauri Markkanen, 29 points including seven at the end of the match, and Keyonte George, 28 points, allowed the Jazz to win against the Spurs who nevertheless remained on eight victories. However, Wembanyama’s teammates still occupy second place in the Western Conference, behind defending champion Oklahoma City, whom they beat twice during Christmas week.
The Knicks continue
New York, recent winners of the Spurs in the NBA Cup final, achieved a fourth consecutive success in the championship, in Atlanta (128-125). Karl-Anthony Towns, author of 36 points, and Jalen Brunson, 34 points, were the main architects of this victory which allowed the New York franchise, which has won 13 of its last 16 matches, to consolidate its second place in the Eastern Conference.
Record pour Anthony Black
The day after its failed match against the Charlotte Hornets (120-105 defeat), Orlando rectified the situation against Denver 127-126. The Magic were however up to 17 lengths behind the Nuggets. But Anthony Black, 21, and his 38 points, his new record, and Desmond Bane, 24 points, turned the game around against Nikola Jokic’s team whose triple-double (34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists) was not enough.
Raynaud decisive
Sacramento’s French interior Maxime Raynaud, once again a starter, scored 19 points during the Kings’ success against Dallas (113-107). The 22-year-old Parisian displays great complementarity with the experienced Russell Westbrook, 37, author of 21 points, just like Keon Ellis. With this eighth success this season, Sacramento, penultimate in the West, regains some color.
