Eastern Conference Recaps, Apr. 2: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Double-Double Leads The Milwaukee Bucks To A Victory Against Philadelphia 76ers

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks with 33 points and 14 rebounds

The Milwaukee Bucks moved closer clinching the Eastern Conference.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led a balanced effort to help the Bucks get a 117-104 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. He recorded 33 points and 14 rebounds.

“We certainly feel like Giannis is the MVP," Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said. “I think what our team has been able to do — we’ve still got some more work to have the best record in the league — but best player, best record. What he does on both ends of the court — the rebounding the blocked shots, the defense, the guarding on the perimeter -- he does everything. Playmakes, attacks, gets to the free-throw line. We feel like he's in the conversation or he should be the guy.”

Khris Middleton scored 19 points while Jrue Holiday and Bobby Portis had 18. Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 29 points and Joel Embiid had 28.

OTHER NOTES:

-The Chicago Bulls used a huge second half to inch their way closer to the play-in tournament. They outscored the Memphis Grizzlies 75-39 in the last two quarters to grab a 128-107 victory. Zach LaVine scored 36 points and DeMar DeRozan had 31, the second time this season they both had 30-plus points.

Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies with 31 points and Desmond Bane scored 21. Ja Morant recorded his seventh triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

-Fred VanVleet had a career game in the Toronto Raptors’ 128-108 victory against the Charlotte Hornets. He recorded 20 points and a career-high 20 assists, becoming the first Raptor to do so. Pascal Siakam scored 36 points and O.G. Anunoby had 23.

Svi Mykhailiuk led the Hornets with 26 points while James Bouknight led all reserves with 21.

-Despite a third-quarter rally from the Utah Jazz, the Brooklyn Nets held on for a 111-110 victory. Mikal Bridges scored 30 points for the Nets and Cameron Johnson had 18. Talen Horton-Tucker led the Jazz with 32 points and Lauri Markkanen had 23 upon his return from a two-game absence.

-Eight Orlando Magic players scored double-figure points to grab a 128-102 victory against the Detroit Pistons. Jalen Suggs led the way with 18 points off the bench and Cole Anthony had 17. Rookie Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter had 14 while Franz Wagner recorded 16.

Killian Hayes scored 20 points for the Pistons, who lost their 20th in 21 games.

-Donovan Mitchell put on another scoring display to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-105 victory against the Indiana Pacers. He finished with 40 points, his third straight 40-point game. Darius Garland recorded 20 points and Jarrett Allen had 15.

Rookie Bennedict Mathurin scored 19 points for the Pacers and T.J. McConnell led the bench with 16.

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Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.