Giannis’ 42-point triple-double in return holds off feisty Wizards for sixth straight win
The rust wasn’t too bad after three days off for the Milwaukee Bucks, as they took down the Washington Wizards, 124-114. Giannis Antetokounmpo came back strong after missing Tuesday’s game against Miami with a 42-point triple-double (12 rebounds and 11 assists).
Game Recap
Giannis made his return to the lineup known, as he came out with the first five points for Milwaukee, featuring a powerful baseline dunk and an and-one layup on back-to-back possessions. Washington would respond in kind as Wisconsin native Jordan Poole and former Buck Malcolm Brogdon started cooking. The pair scored the next 14 points for the Wizards as they overcame their early struggles to take the lead, 16-15. Giannis does what Giannis does to get the Bucks out of the jam, as he and AJ Green scored the final 13 points of the first for the Bucks. That final run gave Giannis 15 points for the frame, but Milwaukee still found themselves down one, 29-28, heading into the second quarter.
After a quiet first quarter, Damian Lillard took control in the second quarter for the Bucks. After a 14-foot jumper from Jonas Valančiūnas, Lillard hit back-to-back three-balls to give the Bucks a four-point lead with 5:21 left in the stanza. Jordan Poole scored the final five points for the Wizards to bring them within one of the Bucks. Yet the Bucks went to the locker room up by five, 63-58, thanks to a couple of free throws from Giannis and an improbable buzzer-beater mid-range from Lillard to cap off his 15-point second-quarter.
Dame beats the buzzer! pic.twitter.com/71fvZyQPoX
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 1, 2024
Though the Bucks began the second half with a couple of miscues, they scored the first five points to gain their largest lead of the game at ten. However, much like they had done all game long, the Wizards chipped away at the Bucks’ advantage. Washington’s veteran trio of Brogdon, Valančiūnas, and Poole scored the next 11 points for the Wizards to bring the game back within four early on. The Bucks then flipped the script, thanks to Giannis’ nine straight points and then his assist to Bobby Portis for a transition three got the lead back up to ten, 83-73, with 4:32 left. The Bucks kept the Wizards at bay for the final part of the quarter, with Milwaukee holding a six-point lead, 92-86, heading into the fourth.
Milwaukee looked to throw a knockout punch early to Washington as they pushed that six-point lead back out to ten thanks to a three-pointer from Brook Lopez. Despite that first punch, the Wizards refused to go away quietly, as they clawed their way back within two points, 105-103, with 4:57 to go, after two Poole free throws. The Bucks responded with ten straight points, including back-to-back threes from Taurean Prince and Lopez to give themselves a 12-point lead with 1:29 to go. The final 89 seconds became the free throw game, as the Bucks were able to lock down their sixth straight win.
Stat That Stood Out
The Bucks continued to move the basketball exceptionally well in this one. 16 of their 22 makes in the first half were assisted, Milwaukee finished the night with 31 assists on 44 made baskets, with Giannis leading the charge with 11.
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