By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Cleared to play with a left calf strain, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a seventh triple-double in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season, powering the Milwaukee Bucks in a win, 127-121, against the Atlanta Hawks in State Farm Arena on Tuesday.
In a tight contest, the Freak lasted nearly 34 minutes, tallying 26 points behind 9/18 field goals, 12 rebounds, ten assists, and one steal.
“Whenever we step on the floor, we’re trying to be sharp, try to execute things we worked on, and it’s translating into wins, which I’m happy about, but that’s pretty much it. I feel like we’re more sharp,” Giannis described how the team coached by Doc Rivers picked up seven wins over the last eight games, jumping to 36-25 in the Regular Season.
Facing the Greek international superstar, French Zaccharie Risasher, the top pick of the 2024 draft, went for seven points with 3/10 from the field and pulled down four rebounds. Swiss Clint Capela came off the bench and recorded eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and one assist. Czech Vit Krejci (lumbar fracture) stayed on the injury list.
Raptors, Rajakovic punch in a win
Ja’Kobe Walter hit a three-pointer in the dying seconds, lifting the Toronto Raptors over the Orlando Magic, 114-113, in the Kia Center. Austrian Jakob Poeltl chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds, two steals, two assists, and one block, helping the team coached by Serbian head coach Darko Rajakovic improve to 20-42 in the Regular Season, four games away from the Play-In zone of the Eastern Conference.
Paolo Banchero scored 41 points for the hosts, while German Franz Wagner settled at 28 points, five rebounds, and one assist. Off the bench, German Tristan da Silva tallied 12 points with 4/5 three-pointers, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Georgian Goga Bitadze had two points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block. German Moritz Wagner (left knee surgery) remained sidelined.