AP – Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers wasn’t sure it was a good thing that Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 of the team’s 24 first-quarter points yesterday.
But Rivers could smile about it after Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points in the Bucks’ 127-120 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons. It was the highest total by any NBA player this season and five short of Antetokounmpo’s career high of 64 set last season against the Indiana Pacers.
“I’ve seen a lot of great games as a player. Sitting next to Dominique (Wilkins) you obviously see a lot of great games,” Rivers said, referring to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate. “It’s funny how a coach thinks, though. We called a timeout and Giannis has 22 of our 24. This ain’t good. I’m thinking the exact opposite. We’ve got to get somebody else involved in this.
“After the game, you realise how special this is. But during the game you’re in a panic.”
Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he is striving to find the right balance as the 4-8 Bucks try to dig out of an early season hole.
They played without point guard Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and forward Bobby Portis because of injuries.
“Coming into this game I realised I have to be aggressive,” Antetokounmpo said. “While I was doing that, it was not working. We were down by 15, 18.
“In the second half, I had to keep my aggressiveness but keep on moving the ball. Now as a leader, you keep on going with that energy and mentality. Sometimes you’ve got to be able to do both.”
Brook Lopez added 29 points and Taurean Prince, Andre Jackson Jr and Gary Trent Jr contributed to Milwaukee’s rally.
