Milwaukee Bucks of America sensation, Giannis Adetokunbo (Antetokounmpo) was again forced to play second fiddle behind a fellow-star performer in USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA), as LeBron James stole the show in their latest face-off, megasportsarena.com reports.
In much the same manner it had been for Antetokounmpo against James Harden and Brooklyn Nets three days earlier, ‘The Greek Freak’ again struggled for form against Los Angeles Lakers, as LeBron helped his side inflict a second straight defeat on The Bucks.
Lakers romped to a 34-point margin their 113-106 victory, during which LeBron recorded his season’s best points tally at Fiserv Forum and made six out of 10 three-point attempts, with lots of help from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on 23 and Anthony Davis with 18.
On the other hand, Antetokounmpo had 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday scored 22 for The Bucks, as they cut The Lakers’ lead to two with three minutes left on the clock, but the visitors kept their cool and stormed to victory on the road.
Same night in the NBA, Steph Curry netted 30 points for Golden State Warriors, but they were not enough to save his team against New York Knicks, who prevailed 119-104 and took their third straight win after RJ Barrett finished with 28 points, while Mitchell Robinson recorded 18 points.
The night’s other game saw Utah Jazz defeat New Orleans Pelicans 129-118, for their seventh win in a row; while two periods of overtime were needed to split Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers, with the revitalized New Yorkers falling 147-135.
Kyrie Irving returned to the side and was joined by recent acquisition Harden and Kevin Durant for their first game as The Nets’ Big Three. Durant led Brooklyn with 38 points, Irving added 37 and Harden 21, but they were outscored by Cleveland’s Collin Sexton, who had 42 on the night.
Overtime was also needed in the game between Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons, when John Collins blocked Jerami Grant’s driving layup which would have won the game, as he netted 31 points in the 123-115 win for The Hawks, with Trae Young top scoring with 38.
Joel Embiid scored 42 points and Tobias Harris added 22 as Philadelphia 76ers overcame Boston Celtics 117-109, while Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning run to five with a 115-96 victory over Sacramento Kings.
Cole Anthony hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer as Orlando Magic hit Minnesota Timberwolves 97-96, Kendrick Nunn scored 28 as Miami Heat beat Toronto Raptors 111-102 and Phoenix Suns eclipsed Houston Rockets 109-103.
Curry hit 26 points and had 11 rebounds as Golden State Warriors beat San Antonio Spurs 121-99, Dallas Mavericks saw off Indiana Pacers 124-112; but games between Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets as well as Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers were postponed.
