Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is off to the best start of his NBA career, which is saying something. The two-time MVP is averaging 33.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game as the Bucks have started 7-0 for just the third time in their history. They will look to make it 8-0 as they travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves. The T-Wolves are 4-4 and have lost two games in a row. As for Giannis, he will look to continue his torrid start against a team that he has absolutely dominated over the last two seasons.
Update: The previous paragraph was written earlier this season before the Bucks and Timberwolves played for the first time. At the time, Milwaukee was on a seven-game winning streak to start their season. Now, they are riding a four-game losing streak. Similarly, the Timberwolves are also losers of their last four games, but have not had nearly as successful a season as the Bucks. They come into this contest with a record of 16-19 (7-11 away). Milwaukee, on the other hand, is 22-12 (14-3 at home).
Giannis is currently averaging a career-best 31.7 points per game. He also is averaging 11.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
Related: Bucks vs Timberwolves Preview
Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Good Career Numbers Against the Timberwolves
The Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves have played 16 games against each other with Giannis on the court. During that time, he has averaged 21.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. However, one must remember that over one-third of these games came before Giannis ascended to superstar status. Prior to March of 2016, the most points Giannis had scored in a game against the Timberwolves was 13.
The 2020-21/2021-22 Seasons
There is no team that Giannis has performed better against over the last two seasons than the Minnesota Timberwolves. In four games, he is averaging 35.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Milwaukee is 3-1 in these games. Here are Giannis’ stat lines against the T-Wolves over his last four games against them:
- 34 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists (27 minutes)
- 32 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks (31 minutes)
- 37 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals (29 minutes)
- 40 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks (35 minutes)
Interestingly, the one game the Bucks lost out of these four was the one in which Giannis scored 40. Milwaukee played that game without Jrue Holiday, and Minnesota had three players score 25 points or more.
Related: Giannis Needs Help: Bucks Recent Losing Streak Indicates Major Issue
Giannis Recorded a Triple-Double in His Last Game vs Minnesota
The Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves played each other on November 4 earlier this season. Milwaukee handily defeated the Timberwolves 115-103 to improve to 8-0 on the season at that point. Giannis had a triple-double in this game with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. He was 7-17 from the field (2-4 from three), but was just 10-20 from the free throw line.
Jrue Holiday also had a solid game for Milwaukee in their previous game against Minnesota. He had a game-high 29 points on 12-24 shooting. He also had eight rebounds and six assists.
A Big Game Is Needed
Over his last four games, Giannis is averaging 35.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. With Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday expected to be out, he will need another strong performance to help Milwaukee snap its four game skid.
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