Bennedict Mathurin found his ease under the basket and offensively led the Indiana Pacers in a game that ended unhappily 149-136 in favor of the mighty Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Quebecer posted a personal best with 11 baskets for 29 points overall, three shy of his 32 mark set in his seventh game in the NBA. The rookie spent 41 minutes on the floor and also led his team with nine rebounds.
The Bucks attack was carried out by two men: Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The first topped himself with 51 points, a career high, while the second got there with a triple-double of 38 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists.
The Pacers (33-44) have lost their last four games and the playoffs continue to slip through their fingers. No problem for the Bucks (55-21), who have already won the Central Division championship.
Big sleep game
In Oklahoma City, Luguentz Dort won a key faceoff in the final seconds of the game to allow the Thunder to score points in a 107-106 win over the Detroit Pistons.
In a game the home side could not afford to lose, a kick-off was announced by officials with 7.3 seconds remaining on the scoreboard. The Montrealer rushed at full length to pass the ball to teammate Josh Giddey. When the latter’s shot didn’t go in the basket, Jalen Williams’s to recover the rebound was good. With 0.1 seconds on the clock, the Thunder secured victory.
There the game ended with 20 points, six rebounds and one assist. Only Williams did better than him with 27 points.
The Thunder (38-39) regained some breathing room with the loss of the Dallas Mavericks (37-40) in 10th place in the Western Conference. Remember that the top 10 teams will advance to the playoffs.