A 64-point night courtesy of Giannis Antetokounmpo has propelled the Bucks to a 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers in a chippy affair at the Fiserv Forum.
The two-time league MVP hit on 20 of his 28 field goal attempts and 24 of his 32 free throw attempts en route to 64 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and four steals.
His 64 points breaks the Bucks franchise-record previously held by Michael Redd who put up 57 points against the Jazz back in 2006.
He also joins Michael Jordan as the only other player in NBA history to put up 64+ points, 14+ rebounds, and 4+ steals in a game.
Things became heated in the fourth quarter when Pacers wing Aaron Nesmith wrapped up Antetokounmpo in the paint prompting a scuffle on the floor with Milwaukee’s bench forced to hold back his enraged older brother Thanasis.
Tensions continued to boil over postgame with an irate Antetokounmpo running towards the Pacers locker-room accusing them of stealing the game ball, which is typically gifted to players who enjoy career nights as Antetokounmpo did.
A further scuffle broke out in the tunnel and around the locker-room before Antetokounmpo returned to the floor to exchange words with Pacers assistant Lloyd Pierce and All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, who appeared to be making attempts at defusing the situation.
The Pacers jumped out to a first-quarter lead which was quickly run down paving the way for Milwaukee to pile on the points and build their own double-digit lead.
A 23-6 Bucks run sealed it for them in fourth as they secured their fourth win from their past five.
Milwaukee scored 70 paint points and drew 32 fouls which spurred them to victory despite a lacklustre night from three (7-of-27).
The Bucks will host a Pistons squad riding a 21-game losing streak on Sunday whilst the Pacers are back in action in the nation’s capital on Saturday.
