NEW DELHI: In a
high-scoring
encounter,
Damian Lillard
and
Giannis Antetokounmpo
showcased their prowess, guiding the
Milwaukee Bucks
to a 141-135 victory over the struggling
Detroit Pistons
in the NBA on Saturday.
Lillard, acquired in a pre-season trade from Portland, was the star of the night, contributing a season-high 45 points along with 11 assists.
His impressive performance included making 12-of-22 shots from the field, 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 16-of-16 from the free-throw line. Reflecting on his outstanding display, Lillard commented, "When the game started, I felt like I had a good warm-up, a good rhythm to the game. Saw a couple of shots go in, and I just felt good."
Setting a historic mark for the Bucks, Lillard became the first player in franchise history to record 40 or more points, 10 or more assists, and five 3-pointers in a single game. This remarkable feat came just three nights after Milwaukee suffered a 40-point defeat to Cleveland.
Acknowledging the significance of the game, Lillard mentioned, "I knew it was an important game. I picked my spots. I moved the ball when I needed to move it. I attacked when I needed to attack. I've been slowly getting back to how I play more naturally, and tonight was one of those nights."
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek star, contributed significantly with 31 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and a blocked shot. Brook Lopez added 19 points and 10 rebounds, propelling the
Bucks
to a 29-13 record, positioning them within three games of the NBA overall leader, Boston, in the
Eastern Conference
standings.
Despite
Alec Burks
' impressive 33-point performance for the Pistons, who hold the league's worst record at 4-38, the Bucks' defensive adjustments and increased physicality proved pivotal in securing the win. Lillard noted, "We didn't allow them to move around as freely. We had more pressure on them. We played with more physicality."
(Inputs from AFP)
English (US) ·