Giannis records a monster double-double, sinks a clutch jumper as Bucks edge out OKC / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points, 19 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks and guided the Milwaukee Bucks (8-8) to a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-9) 96-89 (34-24, 24-23, 22-21, 16-21). Milwaukee had their second victory in a row.

Player of the Game EFF 31 Giannis Antetokounmpo Points 21 Accuracy 6-16 Rebounds 19 Assists 7

Bobby Portis also registered a double-double performance with 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks, while Khris Middleton had 16 points and 8 rebounds in his resume.

It was the special night for Middleton who has passed Ray Allen as the all-time franchise leader in 3 pointers. Though, Allen owns the NBA record with 2,973 three-point baskets during a career that also included stints with the Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the route for OKC, accumulating 16 points and 6 rebounds night. The Australian talent Josh Giddey aided him, posting a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Thunder were missing coach Mark Daigneault, who was with his wife, as they expect their first child. Assistant coach Dave Bliss is serving as Oklahoma City's acting head coach while Daigneault is away.

Bucks went off from the first minute of the game, arranging a 13-0 spurt. Their lead reached the apex of 20 points in the third quarter (74-54). However, Thunder were not ready to give up.

At the start of the decisive period, OKC cut their deficit to just 2 points (82-84) but could not overtake their opponents. Thunder were not leading a single second in this contest.

The Thunder's final squandered opportunity to tie the game or take the lead came when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misfired on a 3-pointer with about 49 seconds left. On the other end, Antetokounmpo hit a jumper in the paint to extend Milwaukee's lead to 93-89 with 28.7 seconds remaining.

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo 21 points (19 REB, 7 AST, 4 BLK), Bobby Portis 17 (13 REB), Khris Middleton 16 (8 REB, 4 AST), George Hill 12, Grayson Allen 11, Jrue Holiday 10 (4 AST).

Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 16 points (6 REB), Josh Giddey 14 (12 REB), Mike Muscala 14 (9 REB), Luguentz Dort 10 (6 REB), Ty Jerome 10 (4 REB).

Giannis Antetokounmpo's performance

Full game highlights

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