Jimmy Butler proved to be a standout player on the night, scoring 42 points to secure a 128-126 overtime win for Miami in Game 5 of the first-round series. This comes after the small forward scored a colossal 56 points in Game 4.

Miami proved to be on the back foot for much of the game, and while the team managed to control more of the ball than it did in Game 4, the team had to claw their way back from a 22-6 deficit in the fourth quarter.

The Heat is set to face the New York Knicks in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Game 1 takes place on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

The post Miami Heat Sends Milwaukee Bucks Crashing Out of NBA Playoffs appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Despite playing with a hyperextended knee injury, which he picked up in the East finals against the Atlanta Hawks, Antetokounmpo was a force that the Suns couldn’t stop for the better part of the series. The 26-year-old Greek dominated the paint while anchoring the Bucks defense that managed to quiet down Phoenix’s dynamic backcourt duo of Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

Even the struggles at the free-throw line, which were accompanied by countdowns from opposing fans, didn’t slow Antetokounmpo down. He didn’t shy away from getting to the line repeatedly until the shots started to fall down. This happened when he needed it the most, making 17 out of his 19 free throw attempts in Game 6.

“People told me I can’t make free throws, and I made them tonight. And I’m a freaking champion,” said Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo finished the series with 35.2 points, 13.2 boards, 5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game, delivering one of the most memorable performances in the finals. By winning the NBA Finals MVP Award, he became just the third player in NBA history with a regular-season MVP Award, Defensive Player of the Year Award, and NBA Finals Award. The other two are Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan.

“Eight years ago, eight and a half years ago, when I came to the league, I didn’t know where my next meal will come from. My mom was selling stuff in the street,” said Antetokounmpo at the press conference. “Now I’m here sitting at the top of the top. I’m extremely blessed. I’m extremely blessed. If I never have a chance to sit on this table ever again, I’m fine with it. I’m fine with it. I hope this can give everybody around the world hope. I want them to believe in their dreams.”

It wouldn’t be surprising, however, if Giannis Antetokounmpo finds himself at the same table once again. He is entering his prime years and is entering the first year of a 5-year, $228 million extension he signed with Milwaukee late last year. Antetokounmpo will also have the majority of his teammates alongside him in the next few years, and this title might be just one of many to come for “Greek Freak” and the Bucks.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo Scores 50 Points to Lead Bucks to an NBA Title appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Bucks weren’t even playing on Sunday, but since the ninth-seeded Washington Wizards lost to Chicago Bulls and fell 27.5 games behind, Milwaukee’s playoff spot was official. 

Bucks currently sit at the top of Eastern Conference with a 48-8 record, which is also the overall best in NBA. They have 6.5 games lead over the second-place Toronto Raptors and 9.0 games over Boston Celtics on the third.

Milwaukee Bucks’ great run was fueled by last season’s MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is the leading candidate for the award this year as well. Antetokounmpo has been phenomenal so far, averaging 30.0 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Even more impressive is the fact that he only plays 30.9 minutes per contest and manages to get these numbers.

Helping Antetokounmpo are Khris Middleton, who has 20.7 points per game, Eric Bledsoe with 15.7 points per game, and Brook Lopez, who averages 10.7 points per game.

With such efficient play from their core, Bucks have not just been winning games, but also dominating most of the contests. In 33 of their 48 wins, Milwaukee finished the game with a double-digit lead. 

The post Bucks Have Already Clinched a Playoff Spot appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Jimmy Butler proved to be a standout player on the night, scoring 42 points to secure a 128-126 overtime win for Miami in Game 5 of the first-round series. This comes after the small forward scored a colossal 56 points in Game 4.

Miami proved to be on the back foot for much of the game, and while the team managed to control more of the ball than it did in Game 4, the team had to claw their way back from a 22-6 deficit in the fourth quarter.

The Heat is set to face the New York Knicks in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Game 1 takes place on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

The post Miami Heat Sends Milwaukee Bucks Crashing Out of NBA Playoffs appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Despite playing with a hyperextended knee injury, which he picked up in the East finals against the Atlanta Hawks, Antetokounmpo was a force that the Suns couldn’t stop for the better part of the series. The 26-year-old Greek dominated the paint while anchoring the Bucks defense that managed to quiet down Phoenix’s dynamic backcourt duo of Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

Even the struggles at the free-throw line, which were accompanied by countdowns from opposing fans, didn’t slow Antetokounmpo down. He didn’t shy away from getting to the line repeatedly until the shots started to fall down. This happened when he needed it the most, making 17 out of his 19 free throw attempts in Game 6.

“People told me I can’t make free throws, and I made them tonight. And I’m a freaking champion,” said Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo finished the series with 35.2 points, 13.2 boards, 5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game, delivering one of the most memorable performances in the finals. By winning the NBA Finals MVP Award, he became just the third player in NBA history with a regular-season MVP Award, Defensive Player of the Year Award, and NBA Finals Award. The other two are Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan.

“Eight years ago, eight and a half years ago, when I came to the league, I didn’t know where my next meal will come from. My mom was selling stuff in the street,” said Antetokounmpo at the press conference. “Now I’m here sitting at the top of the top. I’m extremely blessed. I’m extremely blessed. If I never have a chance to sit on this table ever again, I’m fine with it. I’m fine with it. I hope this can give everybody around the world hope. I want them to believe in their dreams.”

It wouldn’t be surprising, however, if Giannis Antetokounmpo finds himself at the same table once again. He is entering his prime years and is entering the first year of a 5-year, $228 million extension he signed with Milwaukee late last year. Antetokounmpo will also have the majority of his teammates alongside him in the next few years, and this title might be just one of many to come for “Greek Freak” and the Bucks.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo Scores 50 Points to Lead Bucks to an NBA Title appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Bucks weren’t even playing on Sunday, but since the ninth-seeded Washington Wizards lost to Chicago Bulls and fell 27.5 games behind, Milwaukee’s playoff spot was official. 

Bucks currently sit at the top of Eastern Conference with a 48-8 record, which is also the overall best in NBA. They have 6.5 games lead over the second-place Toronto Raptors and 9.0 games over Boston Celtics on the third.

Milwaukee Bucks’ great run was fueled by last season’s MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is the leading candidate for the award this year as well. Antetokounmpo has been phenomenal so far, averaging 30.0 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Even more impressive is the fact that he only plays 30.9 minutes per contest and manages to get these numbers.

Helping Antetokounmpo are Khris Middleton, who has 20.7 points per game, Eric Bledsoe with 15.7 points per game, and Brook Lopez, who averages 10.7 points per game.

With such efficient play from their core, Bucks have not just been winning games, but also dominating most of the contests. In 33 of their 48 wins, Milwaukee finished the game with a double-digit lead. 

The post Bucks Have Already Clinched a Playoff Spot appeared first on yoursportspot.com.