During the Friday night NBA slate, the Milwaukee Bucks achieved their most lopsided win of the season despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s early exit. The Bucks won their 13th consecutive game with a 128-99 victory over Miami Heat late in the first quarter after Antetokounmpo suffered a right knee injury.
“I haven’t gotten the full breakdown, but I’m pretty sure either on a a drive or on a screen or something like that, he knocked knees with somebody and just wasn’t able to return,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
Four days after having his right wrist examined in New York, Antetokounmpo was in the starting lineup. The Bucks called a late timeout in the first quarter to enable Antetokounmpo to enter the locker room as he passed the ball. Jrue Holiday stepped up in his absence with 24 points.
“Sometimes you have to stop him from himself, being able to calm down and maybe even not play a couple of games, knowing that we’re No. 2 (in the East), knowing that we’re all right,” Holiday said. “I know he doesn’t like it. He tries to play every single game, which I completely understand. I feel like I’m the same way.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks & Miami Heat Updates
In six minutes, Antetokounmpo scored four points, grabbed four rebounds, and handed out four assists. It was no problem for the Bucks to extend their longest winning streak this season. It was the Bucks’ most lopsided victory of the season after pulling ahead for good four minutes into the game.
“It didn’t slow them down one bit when Giannis went out,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They just put it in overdrive.”
In addition to his 5 of 9 from beyond the arc, Holiday grabbed 11 rebounds, assisted seven times, and dished out seven assists.
Bobby Portis returned from an 11-game absence due to a sprained right medial collateral ligament with 18 points and 11 rebounds. A total of 17 points were scored by Brook Lopez, 16 by Grayson Allen and 12 by Khris Middleton.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks & Miami Heat Updates
“It was fun just to be out there, fun just to play the game I love to play,” Portis said.
The Heat shot just 9 of 40 from 3-point range, led by Jimmy Butler’s 23 points, Bam Adebayo’s 18 and Tyler Herro’s 14.
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