Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo makes history with 13th perfect triple-double in NBA history

MILWAUKEE — Finding something Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t done yet in his career may be even more difficult than trying to guard him. The Toronto Raptors couldn’t do the latter on Sunday night in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 118-111 win, and as a result Antetokounmpo did the former. 

Antetokounmpo finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season. Even more impressive, he did so on 9-of-9 from the field to register just the 13th triple-double on 100% shooting in NBA history. He is the ninth player to accomplish the feat and the first since Nikola Jokic earlier this season. Antetokounmpo’s nine field goals are tied for the fourth-most shot attempts of the 13 such games. 

“It was like a pitcher with a perfect game,” Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said. “At the end of the day it is fascinating to go 9-of-9 from the field and have at triple-double. I’m a little surprised it’s happened 13 times. It seems like a rarity. Not a huge stat guy or historian, but yeah, he’s special.” 

Antetokounmpo got his night started with a rare 3-pointer from the right wing just a few minutes into the game, and from there he was off. As per usual, he did most of his work around the rim, knifing through the defense for an array of dunks and layups. When he couldn’t find a path to the basket because the Raptors sent multiple defenders his way, he made the right pass time and again. 

During his postgame press conference, as he sat with the game ball in his lap in honor of his record-setting 712th game with the franchise, Antetokounmpo gave a fascinating breakdown of his decision-making process. 

“Just play to my instincts,” Antetokounmpo said. “Sometimes I’m gonna keep the ball a little bit longer because I have a lane to drive the ball; I’m just waiting for the guy to commit to me or go back to the guy he’s guarding. A lot of times I might just hold the ball for a second and the guy just leaves. Before, whenever I saw two guys I needed to pass the ball. Now, sometimes I’m not in a rush. I’ve been double-teamed…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-makes-history-with-13th-perfect-triple-double-in-nba-history/

Author : Jack Maloney

Publish date : 2023-03-20 04:28:43

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