NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo Shines As Bucks Beat Suns
Milwaukee Bucks Power Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 36 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists as the visitors beat the Phoenix Suns 116-104, becoming the NBA’s first team to reach the 50-win mark.
Brook Lopez had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee, which won for the 21st time in its last 23 games and clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season. Jrue Holiday scored 12 points, while Jae Crowder and Bobby Portis Jr. had 11 apiece.
Devin Booker scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half for Phoenix. Deandre Ayton added 16 points and 8 rebounds and Cameron Payne scored 13, with Jock Landale scoring 12. Chris Paul had 11 points and eight assists.
The Suns have lost three straight following a four-game winning streak.
Los Angeles Lakers 123 – 108 New Orleans Pelicans
Los Angeles Lakers Power forward Anthony Davis scored 35 points with 17 rebounds against his former team as the visitors turned a 75-point first half into a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Malik Beasley added 24 points for the Lakers while Brandon Ingram scored 22 points for the Pelicans against his former team.
Davis and Ingram were key components in a trade between the teams before the 2020 season. Ingram returned after missing the past two games with an ankle injury.
The Lakers were up 75-40 at halftime following their highest scoring first half of the season. The Lakers made 15 of their 27 attempts (55.6 percent) from 3-point range in the first two quarters. It was the most made 3-pointers in a half in franchise history.
New Orleans pulled within 107-94 with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before Los Angeles finished off the victory.
Wednesday’s NBA results
Cleveland Cavaliers 120 – 104 Charlotte Hornets
Oklahoma City Thunder 121 – 107 Brooklyn Nets
New York Knicks 123 – 107 Portland Trail Blazers
Washington Wizards 117 – 97 Detroit Pistons
Toronto Raptors 125 – 110 Denver Nuggets
San Antonio Spurs 132 – 114 Orlando Magic
Los Angeles Lakers 123 – 108 New Orleans Pelicans
Milwaukee Bucks 116-104 Phoenix Suns.
Reuters/Motion Station/Chidi Nwoke/Obinna Aniakor.
