NBA: Giannis leads Bucks to fourth straight win

Nigerian-Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to their fourth consecutive victory with a commanding 123-109 win over the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers at Fiserv Forum on Monday morning (Nigerian time).

The ‘Greek Freak’ dominated proceedings with 34 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, shooting an efficient 13 of 17 from the field and scoring 16 crucial points in the fourth quarter to help the Bucks secure their seventh victory in eight games.

In the process, Antetokounmpo reached a significant career milestone, becoming the 38th player in NBA history to surpass 22,000 points, further cementing his legacy as one of the league’s most dominant players.

Damian Lillard overcame early struggles, where he shot just 3-for-12 through three quarters while being face-guarded by the 76ers’ defence, to finish with 25 points, including several key baskets in the final period.

The Bucks also received valuable contributions from their supporting cast, with Khris Middleton recording 13 points and eight assists in 25 minutes, while Brook Lopez and Taurean Prince added 12 and 11 points respectively.

The 76ers, who dropped to 15-26, dressed only nine players including three two-way contracts, forcing them to play small-ball throughout the contest. Their lone regular starter, Tyrese Maxey, shouldered a heavy burden, playing 41 minutes and scoring a team-high 37 points on 28 shot attempts.

The victory completed a perfect 4-0 homestand for the Bucks, improving their record to 24-17 as they continue to climb the Eastern Conference standings under new coach Doc Rivers.

Milwaukee’s defensive adjustments in the second half proved crucial, as they capitalised on the 76ers’ lack of size and depth to pull away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Philadelphia 35-27 in the final frame.

The Bucks’ recent surge has coincided with improved chemistry between Antetokounmpo and Lillard, whose partnership has shown increasing promise since Rivers took over the coaching duties.

The victory maintains Milwaukee’s position among the Eastern Conference’s elite teams as they prepare for a challenging road trip that begins on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.