Basketball: Antetokounmpo nets 50 in Bucks' rout of Pelicans

Giannis Antetokounmpo brings the ball downcourt in the third quarter during game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan 29. PHOTO: REUTERS

MILWAUKEE – Giannis Antetokounmpo had 50 points and 13 rebounds as hosts Milwaukee Bucks rolled to a 135-110 victory over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans in the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Sunday night.

The 28-year-old Greek said he is motivated to add more such performances to his career, so he can create a back catalogue like some of the game’s greats, and then subject his sons – two-year-old Liam and one-year-old Maverick – to watching them when they are older.

He said: “They might say, ‘Daddy, you’re boring. You’re lame. We don’t want to see your highlights. We’ve heard so much about you. We want to watch Scooby-Doo’ or whatever the case might be.

“I’m just going to keep creating the way people in the past created, the way I can go back and watch Magic Johnson highlights, Kevin Garnett highlights, Kobe Bryant highlights, Allen Iverson highlights, KD’s, LeBron’s.

“They’ve created so much art throughout the years, and we can go back and see it and admire what they did. Tim Duncan.”

His teammates, though, are just enjoying watching him create that highlight reel up close. Bucks centre Brook Lopez felt it was just “fun to watch” the forward when he is in this kind of mood.

He was quoted by ESPN as saying: “He came on the court with his usual determination. He didn’t settle. He was getting to the rim in ways only he could and finishing. Those are tough finishes, and he was still getting them done.”

Guard Jrue Holiday added: “It’s a great time. Everybody just kind of gets on his shoulders and we’re just along for the ride.

“At that point, we just got to support him. If he passes it to us, make the shot. But for the most part, we know who’s going to carry us.”

Holiday added 17 points and Lopez scored 15 as the Bucks won their fourth straight game. They have averaged 133.3 points during the streak.

Jose Alvarado scored 18, Jonas Valanciunas and Trey Murphy III had 16 each, Kira Lewis Jr had 15, Herbert Jones Jr had 11, Larry Nance Jr had 10 points and 12 rebounds and Devonte’ Graham scored 10 for the Pelicans (26-25), who lost their eighth straight game and their 11th in 16.

Brandon Ingram sat out after playing two games following a 29-game absence due to a bruised toe, with New Orleans completing a back-to-back.

The Pelicans started the third quarter with their best offensive stretch of the game. Alvarado had seven points and three assists as they scored 21 points in less than six minutes to close an 18-point half-time deficit to 77-65.

But Holiday had eight points and three assists as Milwaukee regained control with a 106-88 lead after the third quarter. Both teams scored 44 points in that period.

The Bucks (33-17) held a comfortable edge throughout the fourth quarter and went on to lead by as many as 27 points on Sandro Mamukelashvili’s late dunk.

Antetokounmpo had three points and an assist as Milwaukee scored the first eight points of the game. After Alvarado made two free throws for New Orleans’ first points, the Greek made three consecutive baskets as they opened a 14-2 lead.

Valanciunas followed with the Pelicans’ first field goal more than four minutes into the game.

Antetokounmpo increased his point total to 16 as Milwaukee led 21-12, before his teammates started scoring more and Middleton had seven points before the Greek made the final basket, giving them a 37-19 lead after the first quarter.

New Orleans prevented things from getting worse in the second quarter as both teams scored 25 points, leaving Milwaukee with a 62-44 half-time lead.

Antetokounmpo finished the half with 29 points – one more than the Pelicans’ starters combined – and 10 rebounds.

Said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer: “Tonight, I think 50 on 26 shots is impressive. Just everything he did, his aggressiveness.

“A couple threes, especially late. But he’s shooting it well.” REUTERS

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