The Bucks defeat the Lakers thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo's last-minute block and steal against LeBron James
On Friday, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers. Giannis Antetokounmpo had to accomplish something significant, of course.
The former MVP made two saves against LeBron James to help the Bucks win 105-101 after the game was knotted in the last minute. This is the Lakers' first season-long single-digit defeat.
First, a lay-up that is often automatic for James was blocked.
Then there was a poke that forced a turnover, allowing the Bucks to put the game out of reach.
Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals and 4 turnovers.
It was a frustrating game overall for the Lakers, especially for Luka Dončić, who fouled out for the first time this season. He got his sixth foul in that final minute by not giving Kevin Porter Jr. space to land on a 3-pointer. Dončić, naturally, wasn't happy with the call, and several others.
Dončić, who shot 8 for 25 for 24 points, also had a very ineffective evening. He made an odd 4 of 19 2-pointers after going 4 of 6 from 3-point range. Ten of those misses ended up within the paint. He told reporters that it was a "terrible day for me" following the game.
With the defeat, the Lakers' record drops to 23-13, good for fifth place in the Western Conference. Since December 1st, they are now 8-8. In contrast, the Bucks improved to 17-21.
