Antetokoumpo, crowned best player in the league (MVP) in 2019 and 2020, delivered an almost perfect score against the Rockets, with 41 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

"I just wanted to be aggressive," said the Greek, also voted best player in the last NBA Finals won by his Bucks.

"The last game (113-104 loss to Miami), I wasn't as aggressive as I wanted."

He was also able to count on the support of Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis, authors of 21 points each.

"When you have a good team and players like that, you just have to give them the ball and let them do it," said coach Mike Budenholzer, referring to the contribution of Middleton and Antetokoumpo.

Milwaukee, 3rd in the Eastern Conference, ended a seven-game winning streak for Houston.

The Rockets had not lost since a loss to Boston (108-90) on November 22, which was then their 15th in a row.

James and Durant prolific

For its part, Phoenix won its 20th victory in its last 21 meetings by beating the Celtics 111-90 Friday at home in the Western Conference.

A victory drawn in part thanks to JaVale McGee's 21 points, his best total of the season, and Cameron Payne's 17.

JaVale McGee ball in hand with the Phoenix Suns against Boston on December 10, 2021 in Phoenix in the NBA Christian Petersen GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

The Suns were not disturbed by the absence of their star Devin Booker, with a hamstring injury and absent for his fourth consecutive game, and their pivot Deandre Ayton, ill.

The dynamics are quite different for Boston who, despite Jayson Tatum's 24 points and seven rebounds, lost their third straight game and completed a five-game away streak with just one win.

The "King" LeBron James also justified his nickname by scoring 33 points against Oklahoma (116-95).

The Los Angeles Lakers are still sixth in the Western Conference after this clear success on the penultimate of the zone.

Kevin Durant was also in high spirits in Atlanta with Brooklyn.

The three-time Olympic champion scored 31 points in the victory (113-105) of the Nets, leaders of the Eastern Conference, among the Hawks, 9th.

© 2021 AFP