This time it's the right one! After approaching Michael Redd's record (57 points) at the beginning of November, already against the Pacers, Giannis Antetokounmpo this time exploded this record: 64 points, with the victory at the end against the… Pacers! A monster performance achieved in very stormy conditions with eight technical fouls, a Flagrant 1 and an expulsion!
In this rematch of the semi-final of the NBA tournament, the Pacers decided to play their usual game: counter-attacks and rhythm. And they got off to the best start with Tyrese Haliburton already omnipresent with his passes and his long-range address (14-6). The Bucks are launched into an attacking match, once again, and the entry of the substitutes brings the necessary energy. Andre Jackson and Bobby Portis race, and Giannis turns a stolen ball into a dunk. Milwaukee signs an 18-6 to take control (36-33).
The Pacers are powerless against Giannis. Either he scores or he recovers two shots. The gap swells to reach 12 points thanks to a good passage from Damian Lillard (70-58). But Haliburton, again, limits the damage in the last minute of the first half (70-63). Returning from the locker room, Giannis continues his festival: dunk, alley-oop, And-1… Everything goes, and we find his complicity with Khris Middleton (84-76).
Giannis thrown to the ground!
The Pacers hang on, but Giannis insists. He is already at 38 points when he gives 16 points in advance (96-80). After a brief stint on the bench, he returned to the game at the start of the 4th quarter, and there, the match changed to a bad move from Aaron Nesmith. A wrestling hold on Giannis, which turns into a general clash!
The referees distribute techniques, free throws… Then Bobby Portis is expelled. An incident which has the gift of motivating the “Greek Freak” even more. He plants seven points in a row to give him an 18-point lead (118-100).
No question of taking him out, and he remains on the field to get this record from Michael Redd (57 points). He scored his 58th point on free throws, three minutes from the end, and it all ended, obviously with a dunk (140-126). But also a new incident: the Pacers seize the match ball, and Giannis goes to settle a few scores with Haliburton on the bench, then in the locker room… A rivalry may have been born this evening.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Record exploded. This is THE record that Giannis was missing: that of the number of points in a match with the Bucks. After his 55 points against the Wizards in January, then his 54 points against the same Pacers in November, it's done and in a big way: 64 points. All at 20 out of 28 on shots and 24 out of 32 on free throws. This is the highest point total with fewer than 30 shots.
– The ball of discord. As is customary after a scoring record, Giannis Antetokounmpo was ready to get the game ball. Except that the Pacers had gone to the locker room with it! According to Rick Carlisle, there was a clash in the locker room, to the point that the Pacers GM was hit in the ribs. We imagine that the NBA will carry out its investigation…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
