Giannis Antetokounmpo stats tonight: How did Bucks superstar fare in Game 3 against Pacers? (April 25)
Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks narrowed their series deficit against the Indiana Pacers after taking Game 3 of their first-round series 117-101 on Friday. They trail 2-1 with the next game set to take place in Milwaukee.
‘The Greek Freak’ finished with 37 points on 14-of-19 shooting, to go with 12 rebounds, six assists and a steal in 33 minutes. He did not attempt a 3-pointer but was almost perfect from the free-throw line, making nine of 10 attempts.
Gary Trent gave his team a huge boost with 37 points, going 9-of-12 from 3-point land.
For the Pacers, it was Pascal Siakam who led the way with 28 points, with Aaron Nesmith adding 18.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks outscored the Pacers 39-18 in the third quarter, turning a 57-47 deficit into an 86-75 advantage heading into the fourth.
Milwaukee surged to a 17-point lead (102-85) with 5:50 remaining. They were never threatened thereafter.
Game 4 of the Bucks-Pacers series is set for Sunday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's stats against the Indiana Pacers in Game 3
Giannis Antetokounmpo basking in Bucks-Pacers rivalry
The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers have jacked up their rivalry in the last couple of years. It is something that Giannis Antetokounmpo enjoys being a part of.
Following their loss in Game 2 in Indianapolis, the two-time league MVP told reporters that he savors his heated battles with Indiana.
Antetokounmpo said:
“I like everybody man. I’m just a competitor. I’m not going to say, ‘I don’t like him or I don’t like him.’ Off the court, we can talk or do whatever you guys want to do. On the court, I’m a competitor. I’m going to go at you… I feel like there is a lot of animosity, a lot of back-and-forth, but I try to stay away from it.”
In the last two seasons alone, the Bucks and Pacers have been a constant pairing in high-profile games.
They battled in the semifinals of the 2023 NBA Cup and in the opening round of the playoffs last season. On both occasions, it was the Pacers who emerged victorious.