Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 129-117 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
Milwaukee started the game off with a 10-0 run and led by as many as 25 points in the second half. The Pacers briefly cut the deficit to six points in the fourth quarter, but they weren’t able to get any closer before suffering the defeat.
The Bucks ultimately secured the victory due to their star duo, as Antetokounmpo and Lillard both thrived against Indiana’s defense.
Antetokounmpo recorded his second triple-double of the season, scoring 37 points and dishing out 11 assists while pulling down 10 rebounds. Lillard chipped in with 24 points and 12 assists of his own, shooting 8-20 from the field and connecting on three triples.
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Don’t leave this man open.
Dame goes back-to-back from deep! pic.twitter.com/3AWypP56gI
The pair showcased their chemistry on several occasions throughout the contest, leaving fans amazed.
NBA @NBA
GIANNIS UP TOP FROM DAME 🔥
He’s got 25 as the Bucks lead in #EmiratesNBACup action on NBA League Pass 🏆
‘g @LegacyGiannis
dame throwing lobs to giannis like they kobe and shaq pic.twitter.com/GBcJkbjPrW
Taylor @na7ural_
Dame/Giannis 2 man game is at an elite level last few games. League should absolutely be worried.
Khris Middleton is Good @alexengel12
The Giannis Dame PnR is so nice, especially when Giannis actually puts a body on the guy, I feel a lot of times he rolls too soon
Milwaukee Meade @shammgod21
Dame + Giannis have become SO MUCH better at knowing when to get the ball to the other guy
🌧 @ExtinctKB
This is how I imagined Dame and Giannis would look like, elite 2 man game, just unstoppable
Tyrese Haliburton hit just two of his seven shot attempts through the first two quarters, but he bounced back in the second half and ended the night with 18 points and nine assists on 6-14 shooting.
The game also featured NBA Cup implications, as both squads are in Group B among Eastern Conference teams. The Bucks improved to 2-0 in the NBA Cup standings and the Pacers fell to 0-2.
After opening the season with a 2-8 record, head coach Doc Rivers’ team has now won five of its past six games.