Antetokounmpo puts Bucks within a win of NBA semifinal
Florida, United States, Aug 24 (efe-epa).- Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed a double-double of 31 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists Monday in the fourth game of the tie for the first round of the conference playoffs in which the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Orlando Magic 121-106.
The victory leaves the best-of-seven series 3-1 in favor of the Bucks, who only lost the first game.
The fifth game will be played Wednesday.
Antetokounmpo finished the game played at the Wide World of Sports, Walt Disney World, Orlando, with 14 baskets from 21 field trips, but did most of his damage inside the area where he was 12 from 14.
Along with Antetokounmpo, forward Khris Middleton also stood out when he finished with 21 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter, when he made the best individual record since the playoffs began.
Middleton, a key player in the Bucks’ offense alongside Antetokounmpo, also finished with a double-double after grabbing 10 rebounds.
Midlleton’s resurgence came after losing just one basket on nine shots from the field in the first three quarters.
Guard Wesley Matthews added 12 points as the third leading scorer for the Bucks, who are beginning to consolidate their game as the best-performing team of the regular season.
The Bucks were also effective on shots from outside the perimeter with 17 three-pointers of 41 attempts.
The Montenegrin Swiss center Nikola Vucevic maintained his good individual effort by finishing the game with another double-double of 31 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
The reserve guard-forward Terrence Ross finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds that left him as the sixth player for the Magic, marred by the injuries of Aaron Gordon and point guard Michael Carter-Williams, who has yet to play in the series.
He remains doubtful for the fifth game. EFE-EPA
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