NBA: Giannis Antetokoumpo, Bucks storm past Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates a made shot in the second half of an NBA game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 with 12 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a comeback 120-112 road win against the Pacers in the NBA on Tuesday.
Brook Lopez added 16 points for Milwaukee, which rallied from 19 down in the second half. Khris Middleton added 15 points and Bobby Portis and Gary Trent Jr. each scored 14.
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Benedict Mathurin led Indiana with 25 points while Pascal Siakam added 20. Tyrese Haliburton scored 12 but struggled, shooting 3-for-13 from the floor.
The first half was not pretty on the offensive front. The Bucks struggled mightily from the field while Indiana had turnover issues.
Article continues after this advertisementLet’s create some new memories for 2025 🙌🏾🥳🎉 pic.twitter.com/gYzHPgqLI6
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) January 1, 2025
The Pacers went on a bit of a run at the end of the second to take a 64-53 halftime lead. Milwaukee shot just 4 of 20 from deep as a team in the half.
In the third, Indiana stormed ahead. A 19-11 Pacers run to start the second half gave them a 19-point edge, their largest of the day. Then they didn’t score for four-plus minutes, opening the door for Milwaukee.
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After starting 0 for 9 from the field, Damian Lillard broke through, knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers and getting the Bucks within three heading into the fourth at 91-88.
The Bucks tied the game at 99 with 7:22 left thanks to Antetokounmpo getting it going after a slow start. It was then a back-and-forth game until Milwaukee grabbed the lead at 107-104, its first lead since the opening quarter.
Gary Trent Jr.’s clutch shooting put the Bucks out in front. The sharpshooter hit back-to-back tough 3-pointers, including one at the end of the shot clock, to give the Bucks a five-point edge with just under two minutes to play.
Antetokounmpo put the game out of reach with a jumper and a free throw. He scored 26 of his 30 points in the second half, including 13 in the fourth.
Milwaukee improved to 2-0 over Indiana this season with two more matchups coming between the division rivals. –Field Level Media
