Giannis Antetokounmpo’s gaming skills are featured in the latest triple-double for Milwaukee Bucks

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1:00 a.m. ET

  • Eric WoodyardESPN

The back-to-back reigning NBA MVP will clock out early Wednesday night.

In 31 minutes, Giannis Antetokounmpo, superstar from Milwaukee Bucks, was almost perfectly in the picture and recorded a triple-double to 45 minutes for the fourth time in his career.

That’s why he took on a new role as a team photographer.

While on the sidelines, Antetokounmpo grabbed the camera from Nick Monroe, director of content at Bucks, to snap some shots of his squad taking a 130-110 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers.

“I was like, it would be a good idea to take some pictures of it [my brother and teammate] Thanasis and make him look good, “explained Antetokounmpo.” So I tried to have fun and be in the moment. “

However, when Antetokounmpo was in play, he was the center of attention – especially as a playmaker.

Antetokounmpo would close the evening with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists while coming off the field 7-for-8. During the third quarter, he also passed Quinn Buckner for fourth place on the Bucks’ all-time assists list.

“Having the ability to kick it and find shooters makes him almost unstoppable,” said teammate Bryn Forbes, who finished with 20 points and four three-pointers off the bench.

Antetokounmpo credits maturity with that ability to attack in different ways on a given night. Against the Pacers, he saw no need to force the issue as the Bucks scored 21 3-point field goals, which was the franchise record for the fifth time they’ve made 20 or more 3s in a game this season.

“It’s something new,” said Antetokounmpo. “Probably last year and the year before and the year before, I’m going to play a game and I’m just too cocky not to be my best every night and I’m trying to keep going guys. Three guys are guarding me and I’m still trying I think this is just one step forward towards this leadership. “

Here’s a closer look at four moments from Monday’s game that showed Antetokounmpo was able to influence the game without just attacking the paint.

First quarter (8:45 to play)

Antetokounmpo opened the game aggressively, with five points, five rebounds and three assists in the first seven minutes. In this pick and roll situation, he faced teammate Brook Lopez for a wide open 3 pointer instead of working his way into the paint against numerous defenders.

Third Quarter (9:15 to play)

Faced with a mismatch from former teammate Malcolm Brogdon defending him at the post, Antetokounmpo took the time to acknowledge that Pacers center Myles Turner, the league’s front runner, came to help. Antetokounmpo remained patient and found a cutting Lopez under the edge for an open dunk.

“I just think he’s playing very, very selflessly,” said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer. “He sees things and reads the right thing, the right fit, and I just think he’s in a great place, mentality. He’s aggressive and offensive when necessary, and he finds his teammates and finds opportunities for everyone when he needs to. that is necessary. He really plays at a high level. “

Third Quarter (5:13 to play)

Indiana remained in zone defense, but Antetokounmpo made a no-look pass to Jrue Holiday under the edge to throw off the defense for just a split second, before cutting to the basket for a give-and-go finish with a thunderous , one-handed jam.

“For him it’s big in my eyes that he has to stay aggressive. I think when he’s aggressive it helps us all. And not necessarily just being aggressive to score the ball, but every time he gets into that paint. , does he get someone a wide open layup or someone a wide open 3, “said Buck’s guard Donte DiVincenzo.” He’s figuring it out; he finds boys in their place who they like. But I also think he would do well to mix it up and attack the edge and go downhill a little bit and not just let the defense get on him that fast. . “

Third Quarter (49.5 seconds to play)

The 10th assist for Antetokounmpo came after an offensive rebound after a miss by Pat Connaughton. Again, Antetokounmpo threw away the defense by jumping up as if to attempt a shot, before finding Bobby Portis in the corner for a wide open 3. Antetokounmpo tied a season high for assists before resting for the last quarter. He scored or assisted on 49 points, while the Pacers scored 63 points as a team while on the field, according to research from ESPN Stats & Information.

With new teammates and a new system, this is a completely new approach for Antetokounmpo, one that takes some getting used to with the Bucks now 13-8 overall. However, he is determined to sacrifice for the bigger goal down the line of advancing in the playoffs.

“Last year I had the feeling, and last year, that I have to be my best to win,” said Antetokounmpo. “I have to get 30, 35 … 25, 20 and 10 or whatever the case may be. Be everywhere; do everything. But now I think our team is a great team; and this year, as my team needs me to pass the ball, I need to pass the ball. “

“Next year may be different,” he added. “The team might want me to go crazy every night, but I think that’s grown up. Obviously I’m still young. I’m 26, but 26 is over 25 and 24, and I like it. I like it a lot. kinda nice to be like that i kinda like being in a good place, playing the right game and just seeing my teammates having fun but at the end of the day we always have to win the game. I’m here to win games; I’m not just here to mess around and stuff. “

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