NBA: Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo records 41-point double-double in win over Pacers

When the Milwaukee Bucks needed a steady presence Friday night at Indiana, Giannis Antetokounmpo provided it, including from the free throw line.

The Eastern Conference All-Star captain finished with 41 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and made five of eight free throws over the final four minutes to help the Bucks fend off Indiana’s second-half rally for a 1-0 win. 141-131.

“We had a good rhythm and we were able to hang on in the second half,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “These away wins are pretty sweet and there were some really positive things, especially in the first half.”

Jrue Holiday added 23 points and nine assists for Milwaukee, Khris Middelton added 17 despite playing just 15 minutes.

Budenholzer even liked Antetokounmpo’s form on his late free throws as the Central Division-leading Bucks won their third straight game, this time in front of a surprisingly friendly road crowd.

For the Pacers, it was a familiar script: slow start, deep hole, late comeback. They’ve won an NBA-leading 11 times after trailing by double digits this season, twice after trailing by 20 or more points.

This time, however, the 33-point deficit in the first half was simply too much. Myles Turner led the Pacers with 24 points and Buddy Hield added 22 as Indiana lost for the ninth time in 10 games.

“The starts we’ve had have been atrocious,” TJ McConnell said after finishing with 19 points and nine assists. ‘It was the rhythm. When we go out and run and play with rhythm, we’re pretty good. When we can’t stop, you see what happened in the first half.

Milwaukee quickly took control with a balanced attack and an incredible three-point shot. The Bucks’ ninth 3-pointer capped a 15-3 run to close out the first quarter and gave them a 45-30 lead. The charge continued throughout the second quarter when the margin expanded to 85-52 in the final minute of the half.

But Indiana finally responded in the third quarter, cutting it to 114-99 and then methodically closing in the fourth while repeatedly sending Antetokounmpo to the free throw line. With 3:27 to go, it was 131-124 but the Bucks didn’t let Indiana get any closer.

TIMBER WOLVES 111, GRIZZLIES 100

Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 25 points in the third quarter as Minnesota extended its lead, D’Angelo Russell added 19 points and the Timberwolves beat the short-scoring Memphis Grizzlies 111-100 on Friday night.

The Grizzlies went to court minutes after video was released of 29-year-old Tire Nichols being beaten by Memphis police officers.

There was a moment of silence before the game, but neither the Grizzlies nor the Timberwolves gave any demonstration. Both teams offered their thoughts to Nichols’ family and friends in tweets before the video was posted. Speaking before the game, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins wasn’t sure if the team would see the footage together or alone.

Kyle Anderson had 23 points for Minnesota, which has won four of five.

Ja Morant had 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for Memphis. The Grizzlies were 0-5 on a road trip in which they lost Steven Adams, Desmond Bane and John Konchar to injuries.

WARRIORS 129, RAPTOR 117

Stephen Curry had 35 points and 11 assists, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Toronto Raptors 129-117 on Friday night. The performance gave Curry the most games of 30+ points and 10+ assists in Warriors franchise history.

The high-scoring affair was close until the Warriors pulled away with a 31-point fourth quarter, clinching a season series sweep.

Klay Thompson added 29 points, making six 3-pointers despite starting the night 0-for-5 from beyond the arc.

Although Thompson played in the Warriors’ 126-110 win in Toronto on December 18, Friday’s game was the first time he had faced the Raptors at home since tearing the ACL in his left knee at the decisive Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals won by Toronto. in Oakland.

The Warriors have won back-to-back home games after losing four in a row at Chase Center.

THUNDER 112, KNIGHTS 100

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, his fourth straight with at least 30, as Oklahoma City beat Cleveland.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 12 of 21 shots and had eight assists and five rebounds. Jalen Williams added 17 points and made all three of his 3-point attempts.

Darius Garland had 31 points and 13 assists for Cleveland, which again played without All-Star Donovan Mitchell because of a groin injury.

HEAT 110, MAGIC 105

Jimmy Butler had 29 points, Bam Adebayo added 20 and the Miami Heat rallied again in the fourth quarter to beat Orlando.

Max Strus scored 17 points, 15 of them on 3-pointers, for Miami, which moved a season-high six games over .500 with a 28-22 mark.

Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony had 19 points for Orlando.