Back-to-back games no problem for Antetokounmpo, Bucks
A common excuse in a postgame interview after a loss in the NBA is the toll of competing on back-to-back nights.
That's not the case for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, however.
Milwaukee has a 9-5 record in the second game of a back-to-back, which ranks second in the NBA. Only the Boston Celtics (8-4) have a better winning percentage in those situations.
Antetokounmpo's success in back-to-back games is a testament to the two-time All-Star's grit and hustle. Appearing in 13 of Milwaukee's 14 games with zero days rest this season, Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per contest.
He's picked up his shooting after an uncharacteristic month of February as well. In 12 games last month, Antetokounmpo was shooting 47.7 percent from the field (25 percent from 3) and scoring 22.6 points per game. He's upped it to 56.6 percent from the field, 41.9 percent from downtown and 27.5 points per contest in March.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks can earn their 10th victory of the season on the latter half of a back-to-back when they travel to the Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
NOTABLE
-- The Lakers are 13-4 this season when allowing fewer than 100 points this season.
-- Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in his last four games against the Lakers.
-- When facing a team .500 or better this year, the Lakers have a 13-32 record and are allowing opponents to score 11.8 points per game.
-- Lakers big man Julius Randle has scored 20+ points in nine consecutive games.
Statistics courtesy STATS
