When the Milwaukee Bucks needed a steadying presence Friday night at Indiana, Giannis Antetokounmpo provided it – even 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 during the final four minutes to help Bucks fend off Indiana’s second-half rally for a 141-131 victory.
‘We had a good rhythm and were able to just hang on in the second half,’ Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. ‘These road wins are pretty sweet and there were some real positive things, especially in the first half.’
Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) puts up a shot against Andrew Nembhard and Oshae Brissett (12)
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, this one in front of a surprisingly friendly road crowd.
For the Pacers, it was a familiar script – slow start, deep hole and 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.
Antetokounmpo (34) shoots ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) tries to block
This time, though, the 33-point first-half deficit 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 been getting off to have been atrocious,’ T.J. McConnell said after finishing with 19 points and nine assists. ‘It was the pace. When we get out and run and play with pace, we’re pretty good. When we can’t get a stop, you see what happened in the first half.’
Milwaukee took control quickly with a balanced attack and incredible 3-point shooting. The Bucks’ ninth 3 capped a 15-3 run to close the first quarter and gave them a 45-30 lead. The charge continued through the second quarter as the margin expanded to 85-52 in the final minute of the half.
But Indiana finally answered in the third quarter, trimming it to 114-99 and then methodically got closer in the fourth while repeatedly sending Antetokounmpo to the free-throw line. With 3:27 to go, they were within 131-124 but the Bucks didn’t let Indiana get any closer.
Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner from three
TIMBERWOLVES 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 topped the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies 111-100 on Friday night.
The Grizzlies took the court minutes after video footage was released of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols being beaten by Memphis police officers.
There was a moment of silence prior to the game but no demonstration by the Grizzlies or Timberwolves. Both teams offered thoughts to Nichols’ family and friends in messages tweeted before the video was released. Speaking pregame, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins wasn’t sure if the team would watch the footage together or on their own.
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 trip in which they lost Steven Adams, Desmond Bane and John Konchar to injuries.
Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against the Grizzlies
WARRIORS 129, RAPTORS 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 30+ point, 10+ assist games in Warriors franchise history.
The high-scoring affair was close until the Warriors pulled away with a 31-point fourth quarter, securing a sweep in the season series.
Klay Thompson added 29 points, knocking down six 3-pointers despite beginning the night 0 for 5 from beyond the arc.
Though Thompson played in Warriors’ 126-110 victory in Toronto on December 18, the game Friday was his first time facing the Raptors at home since he tore his ACL in his left knee in the deciding Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals won by Toronto in Oakland.
The Warriors have won consecutive home games after dropping four straight at the Chase Center.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25)
THUNDER 112, CAVALIERS 100
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, his fourth consecutive with at least 30, and 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 played again without All-Star Donovan Mitchell because of a groin injury.
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen
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 at 28-22.
Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony all had 19 points for Orlando.
Jimmy Butler (22) scored between Wendell Carter Jr. (34) and forward Paolo Banchero (5)
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