Dduring the last two seasons Giannis Antetokounmpo He made the regular season of the NBA his own playground, dominating at will a competition that seemed made to suit him and that surrendered at the feet of a player who was molded to dominate the 21st century. However, during those two years the Hellenic hit it in the playoffs at the first exchange, sowing doubts about the future of a player who was too good, but who did not know how to win.
This season the Bucks forward, after a busy postseason more aware of the zeros in his checking account when signing his renewal with the Bucks ($ 228.2 million for five seasons), he has forgotten about individual awards and dominating the regular season with an iron fist to focus on what really matters: the ring. Anteto has been in charge of escaping the radar of favoritism and has preferred to keep a low profile, if that can be said of a player like him.
Doubts reappeared in the first game of the series against the Heat. A poor shooting encounter and difficulties against Miami’s defense presaged another playoff hit. However, the Greek has taken a step forward and has certified his maturity with his first triple-double in the playoffs (20 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists) and the third in Bucks history to eliminate the current NBA runners-up. “You don’t play with food,” he said after knocking on that table. The one in which he has been stirring the plate for two years and now sits down to dispute dessert with others who seemed to arrive hungrier like the Nets, Sixers or Lakers.
The Miami Heat They started the course with a sign around their necks that has weighed more than they could bear. Runners-up in the Orlando bubble, Florida’s seemed set to take the world by storm this campaign. However, between injuries and health protocols, Erik Spoelstra’s team has not found the right rhythm to repeat the feat, falling to the first exchange before the Milwaukee Bucks in a tie in which series that has served to dethrone the kings of an East that seeks a new tenant for his throne.
Mike Conley is a legend in Memphis and continues to be despite being decisive for put the 2-1 in favor of the Jazz in the tie against the Grizzlies. Even his role as an executioner did not make the FedEx audience forget his past and gave him a standing ovation on the court. He responded by playing his best basketball and equaling his career highs in the regular season and playoffs with seven triples and finished with 27 points, in addition to delivering eight assists and catching six balls under the hoops.
With Jokic showing his more earthy version after three games in which he was averaging 36 points per game, the Nuggets expected a step in front of Michael Porter Jr in Game 4 against the Blazers. However, the forward did not respond to expectations and was one of the keys in the defeat of the Colorado team. Porter barely had an impact in the attack of Mike Malone. Annotated three points with only one successful shot of three attempts, which speaks of his little role in the offense of some Nuggets who need the best version of all their men, in addition to Jokic, to continue in these playoffs.
The Philadelphia 76ers are one step away from qualifying for the second round of the playoffs, thanks mainly to the work of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, their great stars. However, nothing would be possible without the role of secondary as Danny Green. A veteran who continues to fulfill a key role in the playoffs: a good defender and a plunger in important moments. In the third game against the Wizards Green result fundamental con 15 points and five triples that have allowed Paul Pierce to pass as the 12th highest tripler in Playoff history.
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