Coming off a huge 123-113 win against the Wizards, the Milwaukee Bucks started absolutely dominantly in tonight’s clash at the Scotiabank Arena. After a low-scoring 1st half, Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. picked up things in the final two periods of the contest. Despite leading by as much as 21 points at one point in the 4th quarter, the Raptors clawed their way back into the game.
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An action-packed thriller that witnessed 6 lead changes and 6 ties, finally concluded with the 2021 champions grabbing a 104-101 OT win. And it was Giannis who carried the team for the 2nd straight game.
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The 2-time MVP recorded a career-high 55 points in the previous clash and had yet another historic performance tonight.
Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after historic 5-game run
The Greek Freak played almost 40 minutes and recorded a 31st career triple-double. Despite turning over the ball 12 times, Giannis finished with a box plus-minus of +20 as he went on to put up 30 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists.
First career 30/20/10 triple-double & only the seventh in the NBA in the last 40 years.
🎰 @paysbig pic.twitter.com/CkjiH43clf
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 5, 2023
Antetokounmpo has been having quite a sensational run in the past few games. Averaging 40/16.4/6.4 in the past 5 games, the 28-year-old becomes the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to record 200+ points, 80+ rebounds, and 30+ assists over a 5-game span.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the first player to total 200+ PTS, 80+ REB, and 30+ AST over a 5-game span since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972. pic.twitter.com/jy1pyOHfQm
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 5, 2023
Further, the 6-foot-11 forward has now lodged more 30/20 games in the past few games than his last 2 seasons combined.
Giannis tonight:
30 PTS
21 REB
10 ASTMore 30/20 games in the last week than he had in his last 2 seasons combined. pic.twitter.com/p5ygYyKZBr
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 5, 2023
Can Giannis win his 3rd MVP?
Mike Budenholzer’s boys were doing pretty well before going on a 4-game losing skid at the end of 2022. Luckily, they haven’t suffered any blow in the standings. With a 25-13 record, the Wisconsin-based franchise sits 2nd in the East.
While the losing streak didn’t have an adverse effect on Milwaukee, it certainly had on Giannis’ MVP chances.
In the latest MVP Ladder, the 6-time All-Star fell down 4 spots (from #1 to #5). However, after playing some of the best basketball of his career this past week, there is no doubt that the 2020 DPOY will gain a few positions in the coming ladder.
Currently averaging 32.7 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, Giannis is one of the frontrunners to lift the first-ever Michael Jordan Trophy.
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