Milwaukee Bucks of America sensation, Giannis Adetokunbo (Antetokounmpo) helped his side to another win in USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA) league, but it came on a night he was outsmarted by Russell Westbrook.
However, while Westbrook won his personal face-off with the Nigerian-born Greece international, ‘The Greak Freak’ won the overall bragging rights, as The Bucks outscored Washington Wizards 125-119.
Megasportsarena.com reports further that Westbrook netted 42 points and Antetokounmpo settled for 33, but The Wizards were ultimately not able to keep up with The Bucks all the way to the final buzzer.
The win keeps Milwaukee within two games of the Philadelphia 76ers at the top of the NBA’s Eastern Conference, on the same night Malcolm Brogdon scored 25 points to lead Indiana Pacers to a 122-111 victory over Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix were outscored by 15 points in the third quarter as they suffered their first loss in six games, while Carmelo Anthony and Damian Lillard combined for 51 points to help Portland Trail Blazers see off Minnesota Timberwolves 125-121.
Karl-Anthony Towns posted 34 points in a losing effort for Minnesota, while Dallas Mavericks brought Denver Nuggets’ five-game win streak to an end with a 116-103 away victory.
After a tight first quarter, the Mavericks pulled away in the second and maintained their advantage to reach eighth spot in the Western Conference.
Elsewhere, Charlotte Hornets defeated Toronto Raptors 114-104, Atlanta Hawks cruised past Sacramento Kings 121-106 and New York Knicks returned to winning ways with a 119-97 win over Oklahoma City Thunder.
Same night, a late scoring explosion from James Harden propelled Brooklyn Nets to a 100-95 victory over Detroit Pistons.
After trailing through most of the game, Detroit’s offence finally clicked into gear in the fourth quarter as the Pistons rallied behind Jerami Grant to stay within earshot of snatching an upset win.
However Harden – who also finished with 10 rebounds and 10 assists – was too strong down the stretch, scoring 12 of his 24 points in the last quarter to help the Nets hold on for a five-point win.
