Milwaukee Bucks of America star, Giannis Adetokunbo (Antetokounmpo) suffered another horror night in action with his team in USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA) league, but his side still managed to outlast Dallas Mavericks 112-109.
While Antetokounmpo struggled for form at the free-throw line, two clutch threes from Khris Middleton put the hosts back in front, before a missed hail-mary attempt from Luka Doncic at the buzzer sealed Milwaukee’s ninth win of the season.
Doncic top-scored for Dallas with 28, as Antetokounmpo still managed to post 31 points, but the Nigerian-born reigning league MVP made just one of his 10 free-throw attempts, as The Bucks gave up an eight-point half-time lead to find themselves trailing late in the fourth quarter.
Same night in the NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers also eked out a three-point win over New York Knicks, on the back of 33 points from Andre Drummond, after both sides exchanged the lead multiple times throughout the close contest.
The Knicks were ultimately left to rue two sloppy turnovers in the dying seconds, as Julius Randle led the way for New York with 28 as the 106-103 victory ended Cleveland’s three-game losing streak.
Elsewhere, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 33 points to lead Oklahoma City Thunder to a 127-125 overtime win against Chicago Bulls and, despite finishing with 35 points, Zach Lavine missed a three-pointer at the death which could have won it for The Bulls.
New Orleans Pelicans were unable to build on a strong opening quarter as they fell to Los Angeles Lakers 112-95, as LeBron James posted 21 points and 11 assists for The Lakers, while Zion Williamson finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
In the rest of the day’s games, Los Angeles Clippers breezed past Sacramento Kings 138-100, Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points to lead Utah Jazz over Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics steamrolled Orlando Magic 124-97.
