Giannis Antetokounmpo put forth a monster triple-double with 35 points, a career-high 20 assists and 17 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 126-113 victory over the host Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
It was the first 30-15-15 game in Antetokounmpo’s career and, according to the Bucks, the first 35-20-17 game in NBA history as he helped Milwaukee (42-34) win its second in a row. Six other Bucks scored in double figures, led by 17 from Brook Lopez.
Philadelphia (23-54) lost its 10th consecutive game. Adem Bona led with 28 points on an efficient 13-for-15 shooting. Quentin Grimes added 24 while Guerschon Yabusele had 22.
Philadelphia stormed ahead as it shot 68 percent from the floor and 5-for-8 from deep in the first quarter en route to a lead as large as 17. The 76ers went into the second up 39-25.
Milwaukee responded in a big way. To start the second, the Bucks went on a 15-0 run to take their first lead of the night by one. It went back and forth from there until the Bucks led 61-59 at halftime.
Antetokounmpo dominated the half with 20 points, eight assists and seven boards. Bona and Jared Butler each had 14 in the half for Philadelphia.
The Bucks continued their momentum from deep as they shot 5-for-9 from the arc in the third quarter and took a 96-87 lead into the final period.
The 76ers got their deficit within four points with 10:23 to play before head coach Nick Nurse received a double-technical and was ejected with six minutes to go.
Head coach Doc Rivers also did not finish the game on the bench for the Bucks, as he left the game due to feeling ill late in the first half.
Milwaukee cruised to the victory thanks to Philadelphia shooting just 33 percent in the final quarter.
Milwaukee won its eighth consecutive game against Philadelphia and completed the four-game series sweep.
–Field Level Media
