Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a seven-point deficit early after half-time to surge back ahead of a spirited but inefficient Phoenix Suns effort. Clinching their first NBA title for 50 years with a raucous Game 6 home atmosphere to savour, Mike Budenholzer’s men did it the hard way.
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Tag: Eastern Conference
Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder among Chicago Bulls’ free agency guard targets
After falling two games shy of the postseason play-in tournament, reports claim Chicago want a starting point guards in the upcoming free agency period to bolster their offensive repertoire alongside All-Star duo Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Pelicans’ RFA Lonzo Ball and Lakers guard Dennis Schroder are linked, while Kyle Lowry and Spencer Dinwiddie are also named.
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Detroit Pistons win top pick in draft lottery, Cade Cunningham expected
You couldn’t wipe the grin from Ben Wallace’s face, as if he knew something we all didn’t, but the future Hall of Famer proved Detroit’s lucky charm overnight as they won this year’s draft lottery and will likely select star guard Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State next month. Continue reading
Justified or not, Kristaps Porzingis’ afterthought concerns were a long time coming
Having agreed a five-year max contract with the Dallas Mavericks in 2019, teaming up with fellow European import Luka Doncic, it’s unsurprising that reports have surfaced over the big man’s disapproval at his role as an afterthought to their star guard – but things need to change. Continue reading
Jaylen Brown’s season-ending wrist surgery amplifies his Celtics influence
Having become a first-time All-Star this season, Jaylen Brown again elevated his game while reinforcing his standing as Boston’s second most important player alongside fellow cornerstone Jayson Tatum. Now that his 2020-21 campaign has been cut short just before the postseason begins, head coach Brad Stevens and co must do without one of their blossoming youngsters.
Best of the best: Karl-Anthony Towns believes Anthony Edwards is Rookie of the Year
Minnesota Timberwolves’ two-time All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns publicly campaigned for teammate Anthony Edwards to win this year’s Rookie of the Year accolade after their 116-106 win over the Sacramento Kings. Charlotte Hornets’ guard LaMelo Ball, who fractured his wrist last month, remains a frontrunner for the award, with a timetable on his return undisclosed.
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Jrue Holiday signs four-year, $160m maximum extension deal with Bucks
As reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks agreed a four-year maximum contract extension with star guard Jrue Holiday worth up to $160m – a move tying up their core trio up for multiple seasons, hoping to finally get over the hump in the postseason.
Bucks 127-109 Blazers: Giannis’ 47-point effort exposes Portland’s ever-present issues
In a season where multiple players have staked their claim for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP crown, the power forward produced a dominant showing to reinforce the notion that he’s quietly improving with less of the spotlight on Milwaukee after consecutive playoff disappointments, while the focus is centred around other contenders across both conferences.
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Back to work: Lakers win Andre Drummond race after he agrees buyout
After agreeing to a buyout on Friday from the Cleveland Cavaliers, two-time All-Star center Andre Drummond has joined the Los Angeles Lakers for their postseason push – despite a competitive race for his services with the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers among four other teams to meet with the 27-year-old this past weekend before his final decision was made.
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Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic deadline day trade a necessary gamble
Aaron Gordon’s trade request this week incentivised an ambitious Orlando side to embrace rebuild mode with key duo Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac both sidelined with ACL tears. Chicago are 1.5 games behind the eighth seed out East and now boast having two true All-Stars for the first time since 2014-15 – when they were eliminated by LeBron James in the postseason. Continue reading
Jury is out: Milwaukee Bucks acquire PJ Tucker in four-player trade deal
The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired Houston Rockets power forward PJ Tucker in a four-player deal designed to bolster their Eastern Conference playoff push – sending DJ Augustin and DJ Wilson with a pick going either way, alongside forward Rodions Kurucs. Does the 35-year-old still have more juice left in the tank for another gruelling championship challenge though?
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All-Star break over, what now? NBA Q+A: Rookie watch, trade targets and surging Suns
Midway through an unprecedented season hampered by COVID-19 protocols, troublesome injuries and more too, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown shortly after the All-Star game – discussing multiple topics including: standout rookies, possible moves between now and the March 25 trade deadline while assessing true contenders from the pretenders. Continue reading
