NBA Note - Milwaukee Bucks Antetokounmpo, Giannis

Oct 22, 2017 - 9:02 AM F Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 44 points and through three games, leads the league in scoring with 38.3 points per game.

Antetokounmpo had a steal, a go-ahead dunk and a game-saving block in the final seconds as Milwaukee held off the Portland Trail Blazers for a 113-110 victory Saturday night at the Bradley Center.

"I wanted the game badly," said Antetokounmpo. "I missed those two big free throws but I couldn't end the game like that. We had to keep fighting and I needed to show the right example and that's what I did."

It was just the latest chapter in what's been a breakout season for Antetokounmpo. He scored 31 and 34 points, respectively, in Milwaukee's first two games.

"He's only getting better and stronger," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. "He's a special player and he's going to do a lot. But we can't count on him to do that every night."

Antetokounmpo had 27 through the first three quarters Saturday as Milwaukee built an 84-80 lead heading into the fourth. He scored 15 of Milwaukee's first 25 points in the final quarter, giving the Bucks a 108-101 lead when he hit an 18-foot pull-up jumper with 3:09 to play.