Milwaukee Bucks of America star, Giannis Adetokunbo (Antetokounmpo) failed to take top spotlight in the highlights, on a night his side tore the record books apart with a massive blow-out in USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA).
Megasportsarena.com reports that, so soon after Antetokounmpo signed a megabucks contract extension with The Bucks, he fell short of being the hero, as his side broke two NBA records in a commanding 144-97 win over Bam Adebayo’s Miami Heat.
In beating Houston Rockets’ total of 27 points achieved in 2017, The Bucks became the first side to score 29 three-pointers in a game and Antetokounmpo’s side, who lost two of their opening three contests heading into Tuesday’s encounter, also became the first team in NBA history to have 12 different players throw a three-pointer in a game.
It was an NBA record for The Bucks when 12 different players in their squad knocked home three pointers each in the win, but Antetokounmpo’s name was conspicuously missing, as Khris Middleton (25) and Jrue Holiday (24) led the way in their side’s revenge of a 4-1 loss to Miami in last season’s play-offs.
A post-match report noted: “Antetokounmpo was the only player on the entire Bucks roster who didn’t connect from distance. The reigning MVP was one of the few Bucks players not on fire, hitting 3 of 9 field goal attempts while logging nine points, six rebounds and six assists.
“The off-night from the Bucks star was no problem for his teammates. Seven Bucks players scored in double figures, led by Khris Middleton’s 25 and Jrue Holiday’s 24. Holiday led the 3-point barrage with a 6-of-10 effort from long distance.
“Donte DiVincenzo added five made 3-pointers, and Middleton chipped in four. Seven Bucks players connected on at least two 3-pointers as the Bucks shot a scorching hot 29-of-51 (56.9 percent) from long distance. Tyler Herro led the Miami effort with 23 points.
“The Heat played without Jimmy Butler, who was sidelined by an ankle injury. But he wasn’t saving them from this 47-point trouncing. Bucks-Heat never got back to 15 or 20. TNT kept making the broadcast rounds. Though it did check in midway through the fourth quarter after the Bucks set the new record for 3-pointers in a game.
“Backup guard Sam Merrill hit the Bucks’ 28th 3-pointer of the night with 6:07 remaining to break the record. He was the 12th Buck to connect from long distance in the effort. The last time these teams met, the Miami Heat stunned the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the playoffs en route to the NBA Finals.
“Milwaukee opened Tuesday’s rematch on a 12-0 run on the way to a 46-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. By the time it was over, Milwaukee scored a 144-97 win and set a new NBA record with 29 3-pointers.
“The Bucks clearly had Tuesday circled on their calendar, but the blowout was so bad that TNT — which broadcast the game nationally — threw in the towel when Milwaukee extended their lead to 93-62 in the third quarter.”
