Leading the league in points per game and posting a monstrous 42-point double-double against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks overnight, Joel Embiid is a clear MVP favourite before this All-Star break. With James Harden still to integrate after last week’s big trade, how will the dynamics shift as the big man hopes to end years of playoff frustration? Continue reading
Tag: Khris Middleton
Nets 109-121 Bucks: Giannis drops 31 in return as Brooklyn’s slow start proves costly
On his return from a non COVID-related illness, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo produced another matchwinning display – 31 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in 27 minutes – as the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks picked up where they left off on opening night with another double-digit road win against their fierce Eastern Conference rival Brooklyn Nets. Continue reading
Bucks 106-98 Suns: Giannis’ iconic 50-piece carries Milwaukee to first title since 1971
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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Devin Booker unapologetic on criticism of Suns’ injury-impacted NBA Finals run
During Monday’s NBA Finals media conference, the Phoenix Suns’ star shooting guard was bullish when asked about what many believe has been a fortunate run to the league’s showpiece event – profiting against three Western Conference teams suffering pivotal injuries.
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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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NBA Previews: Bucks host Lakers, Jazz target successive wins over Pelicans
Two NBA match previews as the Milwaukee Bucks (9-5) look to respond after a heartbreaking defeat against the Brooklyn Nets as they host the defending champion Lakers (11-4), while Stan Van Gundy’s New Orleans Pelicans (5-8) hope to avoid successive defeats against a resurgent Utah Jazz team (10-4) after a sluggish start to the regular season. Who will come out on top? Continue reading
NBA free agency Q&A: Giannis’ future, potential movers and 2020-21 season
With the new 2020-21 season set to start on December 22, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown after a whirlwind finish to the previous campaign from the Orlando bubble – discussing topics including: free agency options, various head coaching moves and more too.
Playoff Preview: Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks – Series sweep for Butler and co?
If you had told even the most optimistic Miami Heat supporter that they would be 48 minutes away from a second-round sweep of the Milwaukee Bucks, they probably would have laughed at you incredulously. But after a stunning series so far, that’s where we are in one half of a compelling Eastern Conference semi-finals this summer. Continue reading
NBA’s injury bug: DeAaron Fox, Khris Middleton and Gordon Hayward among those with injuries
We’re roughly ten games into the NBA 2019-20 season and already there are some lengthy injuries that will impact a number of playoff-chasing teams between now and Christmas: with some threatening to be sidelined for longer periods still. Continue reading