Monday saw Milwaukee Bucks star forward Nigerian-Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo tie Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most triple-doubles in franchise history. While the Bucks have already clinched a playoffs spot, the next 48 hours will decide which two teams from the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat will have a postseason berth.
Bucks swat Hornets
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 89-79. Greg Monroe had 16 points and nine rebounds, Tony Snell had 16 points, Khris Middleton and Jason Terry combined for 30 with 15 points each and Nigerian-Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with a 10-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double.
The Hornets were led by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with 13 points and five rebounds, Jeremy Lamb and Trevon Graham both had 12 points, and Cameroonian-French guard Nicolas Batum ended the game with 11 points, five rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
Pacers take Philly
A 27-point, five-assist game from Paul George saw the Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 120-111. Thaddeus Young had 20 points and eight rebounds, while Myles Turner had an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Sixers with 24 points and five rebounds, Richaun Holmes had 17 points and six rebounds, while Nik Stauskas and Alex Poythress combined for 30 with 15 points apiece.
Celtics rip Nets
The Boston Celtics are back on top of the Eastern Conference after beating the Brooklyn Nets 114-105. Isaiah Thomas had 27 points and four rebounds, Al Horford had 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Avery Bradley had 18 points and five rebounds.
The Nets were led by Jeremy Lin with a 26-point, 12-rebound double-double, Brook Lopez had 25 points and seven rebounds, and Rondae Hollis Jefferson finished with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Heat burns Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a three-game skid after losing 121-124 to the Miami Heat. Tyler Johnson had 24 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Heat, Hassan Whiteside had a 23-point, 18-rebound double-double, and Josh Richardson had 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Deron Williams led the Cavs with 35 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, Kevin Love had a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Channing Frye had 21 points and seven rebounds.
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Orlando Magic 122-75. Robin Lopez led the Bulls with 18 points and eight rebounds, Jerian Grant had a 17-point, 11-assist double-double, and Jimmy Butler had 17 points and five rebounds.
Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, Algerian-French guard Evan Fournier also had 14 points, while Elfrid Payton had 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
The rest
Liberian-American forward Noah Vonleh sunk the buzzer beater to give the Portland Trail Blazers a 99-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, a 33-point game from Bradley Beal saw the Washington Wizards beat the Detroit Pistons 105-101, the LA Clippers beat the Houston Rockets 125-96, and Rudy Gobert’s 17-point, 18-rebound double-double helped the Utah Jazz beat the Golden State Warriors 105-99.
By Kaunda Chama
