Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 41 factors and grabbed 12 rebounds because the Milwaukee Bucks held on for a 141-131 win over the host Indiana Pacers on Friday evening in Indianapolis.
In a scoring onslaught for Milwaukee, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton complemented Antetokounmpo with 23 and 17 factors, respectively. Seven Bucks gamers scored in double figures, together with Brook Lopez (15), Pat Connaughton (14), Jevon Carter (12) and Grayson Allen (13).
Myles Turner led the way in which for Indiana with 24 factors, with Buddy Hield shut behind with 22. Rookie Bennedict Mathurin additionally contributed 21, whereas T.J. McConnell added 19. The Pacers had been with out Tyrese Haliburton for the ninth recreation in a row.
It was a 3-point barrage early on as each groups mixed to shoot 14-for-27 from past the arc within the first quarter alone. Wesley Matthews beat the buzzer to make it 45-30 Milwaukee.
Milwaukee used a robust second quarter to take a commanding 85-56 lead going into the break. It was the very best scoring first half of the season for the Bucks, as Middleton scored all 17 of his factors within the half.
The Bucks at one level had a 33-point lead, however Indiana reduce the deficit to fifteen by the tip of the third quarter. The Pacers had been ready to attract inside simply seven within the fourth quarter when Mathurin’s basket trimmed the Bucks’ result in 131-124 with 3:29 to play.
Allen sank a 3-pointer with simply over a minute to go to increase the result in 12, icing the sport for Milwaukee.
Hield, the NBA’s chief in 3-point pictures made, led all gamers with 5-for-9 capturing from past the arc.
The Bucks took a 2-0 season-series lead and gained their tenth consecutive recreation in opposition to Indiana. Both groups return to motion on Sunday as Indiana travels to Memphis and Milwaukee heads again house to tackle New Orleans.
