Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, #34, dunks past Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill, #16, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
"I was thinking about scoring the ball, but I feel like in those situations it’s best to kind of keep the ball," Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game. "But yeah, I just try to play the game smart and kind of stole one."
Antetokounmpo invoked shades of former Atlanta Hawks guard Bob Sura and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Davis with the move.
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Sura was with the Hawks for 27 games during the 2003-04 season. He tried to record his third straight triple-double in a game when he purposely missed a layup to get his own rebound. The NBA would disallow the shot because Sura had no intention of making the field-goal attempt.
Bob Sura, #3 of the Miami Heat, dribbles the ball up the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the game at Philips Arena on March 31, 2004 in Atlanta. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Davis was one rebound short of his first career triple-double in 2003. He took an inbounds pass and dribbled to the other side of the court to intentionally miss and collect the rebound. The act caused major outrage in the NBA, including from then-Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan.
It is unclear whether the stat line will still count.
Guard Ricky Davis, #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers, stands with his hands on his hips during the NBA game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. (Jamie Squire /NBAE/Getty Images)
Milwaukee moved to 1.5 games over the Boston Celtics for first place in the Eastern Conference with the victory.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is fouled by Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Wizards guard Delon Wright is at right. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
"We feel like we’ve got a lot of depth," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We’ve got a lot of guys that are good shooters that can get hot from the 3-point line. So that’s part of a good team and being able to play on back-to-backs and make it through the season and be prepared for the playoffs."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.