Indianapolis (USA), May 13 (EFE) .- Greek power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was unstoppable with a double-double of 40 points, 15 rebounds and six assists that gave the Bucks Brewers the away win 133-142 against the Indiana Pacers.
Indiana was only able to have 10 players available for the game due to injuries and also failed to present a defensive response to the offensive play of Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) who made 14 of 18 shots from the field, six dunks, unopposed, and made 11 of 16 free throws.
The Bucks (45-25) moved to a game by the Brooklyn Nets (46-24), who rested, for second place in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Forward Khris Middleton added 22 points, Cuban American center Brook Lopez had 21 and point guard Jrue Holiday finished with a double-double of 20 points and 14 assists.
Antetokounmpo scored 11 points in the crucial third quarter as the Bucks edged the Pacers 40-30 to build a 13-point lead.
Four of the seven Pacers discarded made starters, then Lithuanian power forward All-Star Domantas Sabonis exited the game with a sprained left knee in the third quarter.
Before retiring, Sabonis had a double-double of 10 points, 14 assists and six rebounds.
Despite the lack of players, Indiana kept up the pace during the half thanks to his 3-pointers.
Guard-forward Justin Holiday hit six in the first quarter as the home team took a 39-38 lead at halftime. He didn’t make any in the second, but the Pacers had 13 3-pointers at halftime and trailed just 66-69.
Holiday led the Pacers with 26 points. Point guard TJ McConnell added 23, and forwards Doug McDermott and Oshae Brissett each had 19 points that did not prevent the defeat of the Pacers, who remain ninth in the Eastern Conference and already qualified for the playoff entry tournament.
(c) EFE Agency