During the Saturday night NBA slate, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 123-115 victory over the Miami Heat — achieving a seventh straight win.
“You kind of know what to expect from the Miami team,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’ve played them so many times. I’ve played them so many times throughout my years. They’re going to help one another. They’re going to be aggressive on defense. You’ve just got to make the right pass, just keep oon being aggressive and making as many good decisionsn as you can throughout the game.”
A total of nine players were available to the Heat, including Jimmy Butler who scored 32 points. Tyler Herro contributed 24 more points. Kyle Lowry (sore left knee) and Victor Oladipo (sprained right ankle) were among the Miami players who were injured.
The triple-double was Antetokounmpo’s third of the season and 32nd in his career. He tied his season high with 11 assists. Earlier in the week, the two-time MVP recorded a triple-double against the Los Angeles Clippers. It’s been a highly impressive run for Antetokounmpo, who has averaged 39.4 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists since New Year’s Eve.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks & Miami Heat Updates
“We know that Miami’s going to throw a lot of people at him, a lot of bodies,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He’s got to be willing to pass and play with is teammates, and we’ve got to make shots. I think he did that. It starts with him being aggressive, him drawing extra defenders. His teammates have got to make plays around him. We did enough of that, had enough defense, particularly in the fourth quarter, to grind out a win tonight.”
Including a tiebreaking buzzer beater to end the third quarter, Khris Middleton scored a season-high 24 points for the Bucks. There were 19 points from Grayson Allen, 15 points from Jrue Holiday, and 14 points from Pat Connaughton.
“They’re a great team, so they’re going to find ways to change the rhythm of the game, change the pace a little bit, figure out a way to get back in the game,” Middleton said. “They did. … We were just able to sustain the things we were doing and not let their changes affect us as much.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks & Miami Heat Updates
Gabe Vincent, who averaged 27.5 points per game in the Heat’s previous two contests against the Bucks this season — including a career-high 28-point outing — was held to seven points Saturday while shooting 3 of 9. Miami finishes their road trip with a 1-3 record, including a loss to the tanking Charlotte Hornets.
“You definitely have to go home disappointed,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You have to maximize every opportunity when you’re on a road trip like this. It’s hard to win on the road. We’ll gather ourselves.”
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