Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was uneasy late in the game on Wednesday, scored no less than 31 points on Friday night in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, defending champions, against Brooklyn (121-109), second in the Eastern Conference, while that Utah Jazz, third in the West, lost on the floor of a Toronto team in great shape (122-108).
The
Greek Freak
, who recently missed five games due to the NBA's Covid-19 measures, has averaged 32 points and more than 10 rebounds per game in six games since his return.
It was Antetokounmpo's seventh consecutive 30-point game against the Nets.
To discover
NBA Ranking
NBA: schedule and results
“
There's a lot of excitement in the air when you play in Brooklyn
,” Antetokounmpo said. “
We were able to benefit from space for our shots. We defended and we helped each other. We played well
”. “
He comes in and delivers the game-killing knockout, every time
,” Bucks interim head coach Darvin Ham said of Antetokounmpo. "
Once he sees us in position, he knows what places he wants to reach
."
The Bucks, current third in the East, dominated the Nets last season in the conference semifinals before claiming the supreme title.
For the Nets, who have lost four of their last five games, Kevin Durant totaled 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and James Harden finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
The Brooklyn franchise was once again deprived of Kyrie Irving who is only allowed to play in away matches (except Toronto), after refusing to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Irving is not allowed to play at home due to New York City vaccination requirements.
Giannis Antetokoumnpo got the better of his rival Kevin Durant.
Wendell Cruz / REUTERS
VanVleet knock out Jazz, Bulls roll out
In Toronto, Fred VanVleet achieved a triple double (37 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists), the first of his career, allowing the Raptors to sign against the Utah Jazz (122-108) deprived of eight players including Donovan Mitchell ( back pain) and Rudy Gobert (health protocol), their fifth consecutive victory. VanVleet said his teammates made it easier for him to score: Pascal Siakam added 17 points, Chris Boucher scored 13 points and Scottie Barnes 11 points and nine rebounds. Besides its All-Stars Mitchell and Gobert, Utah was deprived of Joe Ingles (Covid-19 protocol), Mike Conley (knee), Bojan Bogdanovic (finger), Royce O'Neale (knee), Rudy Gay (heel) and Jordan Clarkson (back).
In Chicago, Zach LaVine scored 27 points, giving the Chicago Bulls their ninth consecutive victory, against the Washington Wizards (130-122).
This is the Bulls' longest winning streak in ten seasons.
Thanks to this success, Chicago consolidates its first place in the Eastern Conference.
Still in the East, Philadelphia (5th) dominated San Antonio (119-100) and Cleveland won in Portland (114-101).
In Los Angeles, LeBron James scored 32 points and Malik Morris finished with 29 points.
The Los Angeles Lakers, sixth in the West, beat the Atlanta Hawks (134-118) for their fourth consecutive victory.
Finally, Houston, last, sinks into the depths of the standings, after being logically beaten by Dallas (130-106), 5th.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/S7UVDTX7DREC7DXVCZN6MEKGBY.jpg)
