Giannis Antetokounmpo may finally have the supporting cast he has always been searching for as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 6-foot-11 star turned in his usual effort in a 133-120 season-opening win over the Washington Wizards Wednesday with 37 points and 14 rebounds to begin his 13th NBA season. But it was what the rest of the Bucks did that turned heads.
Six other players scored in double figures for the Bucks, including the rest of the starting five.
Milwaukee will try to keep the pace going Friday when the Bucks play their first road game against the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors moved the game from 7:30 to 6:30 p.m. ET to accommodate the Toronto Blue Jays, who will be hosting Game 1 of the World Series at 8 p.m.
Aside from Antetokounmpo, Gary Trent Jr. was the Bucks’ leading scorer with 17 points. New starting center Myles Turner had 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists to help Milwaukee’s star in the front court.
Early in the first quarter, Turner took a pass from Antetokounmpo and was wide open for a 3-pointer, but instead drove in for a massive dunk.
Antetokounmpo said after the game that he can’t remember the last time a Bucks teammate made a play like that. However, he knew that was coming as soon as Turner left the Indiana Pacers to sign with the Bucks.
“When I played against him, I jumped many times at the pump fake because he’s capable of making that shot,” Antetokounmpo said after the game. “He’s going to pick and choose. Sometimes, he’s going to shoot the 3. Sometimes, he’s going to pump fake and get in the paint and make the right pass.
“And sometimes, he’s going to dunk on somebody’s head. That’s what he did (Wednesday). Incredible play.”
Friday will be a good test for the new-look Bucks as the Raptors are coming off an impressive 138-118 season-opening win over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday.
The Raptors set a franchise record for points on opening night, shooting 56.8% from the field, including 68.6% on 2-pointers.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 25 points, and Brandon Ingram added 16 points and nine rebounds in his Toronto debut. Scottie Barnes had 22 and Gradey Dick scored 21 off the bench as seven Raptors scored in double figures.
“We played well collectively. We were sharing the ball, playing defense,” Barrett said. “That’s just kind of who we are and who we’re going to try to be all season.
“… No egos. Everybody sharing the ball, moving the ball, playing together. When we play like that and have everybody into it, we’re scary.”
The Raptors outscored the Hawks 34-11 on fastbreak points by playing tight defense.
Center Jakob Poeltl fouled out while Barrett (five) and Barnes (four) got into foul trouble. Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic knows that can come with playing tough defense, and is glad the Raptors are deep enough to make up for it.
“(Foul trouble) is always an opportunity for other guys to step up,” Rajakovic said.
–Field Level Media
