NBA Cup: Giannis Antetokounmpo stars as Milwaukee Bucks win again

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second triple-double of the season as the Milwaukee Bucks led wire-to-wire to beat the visiting Indiana Pacers.

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player claimed 37 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists as the Bucks won 129-117 on Friday to improve to a 2-0 record in the NBA Cup.

Damian Lillard added 24 points and 13 assists for his third straight double-double, and the result means Milwaukee has won five of its last six since starting the season with a 2-8 record.

They had six players in double figures in points, with Antetokounmpo, 29, recording his 47th career triple-double.

Jaylen Brown had 31 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way Boston Celtics to a 108-96 victory over stubborn Washington Wizards.

Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday each added 16 points for last season’s NBA champions, who have won three straight overall and are 2-1 in the NBA Cup.

James Harden had 22 points and nine assists Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to four games with a 104-88 victory against the visitors Sacramento Kings.

The Clippers were without leading scorer Norman Powell because of a hamstring strain and are now 1-1 in the season tournament, which concludes next month with the semifinals and championship game played in Las Vegas.

Jared McCain declared to the crowd that he is “rookie of the year” after hitting a three-pointer in Philadelphia 76ers 113-98 victory over the visitors Brooklyn Nets.

The 20-year-old, who was the 16th overall draft pick in June, scored 30 points as the Sixers snapped a five-game losing streak despite playing without Joel Embiid and Paul George.

McCain posted his seventh straight 20-plus point game, joining Embiid, Allen Iverson, Jerry Stackhouse and Lee Shaffer as the only rookies in franchise history to accomplish the feat.