Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored 50 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as his Milwaukee Bucks trounced New Orleans 135-110.
Antetokounmpo collected 29 points and 10 rebounds in the first half alone, helping the Bucks (32-17) build a big lead early and they never trailed in Sunday’s home match.
This was Antetokounmpo’s 10th game this season with at least 40 points, already tying the career high for 40-point games that he set last season.
Playing his 695th career regular season game, his 50 points were just five off the career high he set last month in a 123-113 victory over the Washington Wizards.
The league’s MVP in 2019 and 2020, the Greek superstar shot 20 of 26 from the floor, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, and went 7 of 12 on free-throw attempts.
New Orleans (26-24) were missing their top three scorers: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram (toe injury on left foot) and CJ McCollum (sprained right thumb).
Jose Alvarado stepped up to lead the Pelicans with 18 points, while Trey Murphy III and Jonas Valanciunas had 16 each. Jrue Holiday scored 17 and Brook Lopez added 15 for the Bucks.
In Memphis, Ja Morant had 27 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds, Jaren Jackson Jr added 28 points as the host Grizzlies overcame a lacklustre first half to defeat Indiana 112–100.
In Cleveland, Turkey’s Cedi Osman tied his career-high with 29 points, Darius Garland had 16 points and 10 assists, and Cleveland led Los Angeles Clippers wire-to-wire for a 122-99 win.
All-Star starter Donovan Mitchell had 11 points in his return for Cleveland after missing three games with a strained groin.
In Charlotte, LaMelo Ball scored 13 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter as Charlotte beat the Miami Heat 122-117.
Terry Rozier scored 31 points and P.J. Washington added 27 and Gordon Hayward was a perfect 7 of 7 from the field for 20 points for the Hornets.
Source: AAP
