Three things to know: Giannis Antetokounmpo makes MVP case, drops 47 on Lakers

By Nov 18, 2021, 10:08 AM EST
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Three Things is NBC’s five-days-a-week wrap-up of the night before in the NBA. Check out NBCSports.com every weekday morning to catch up on what you missed the night before plus the rumors, drama, and dunks going that make the NBA great.

1) Giannis Antetokounmpo makes his MVP case, drops 47 on Lakers

It’s too early to have a serious MVP frontrunner, despite what Stephen Curry did to the Nets on Tuesday night. If the league held the vote today Curry might well win, but we are five miles into the marathon of the NBA season, nobody is running away with anything. At best, there is a college football award-style watch list of players who have started the season playing at an MVP level.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has to be on any MVP list — and he dropped 47 points on 18-of-23 shooting in a win against the Lakers Wednesday to make his case.

Antetokounmpo averages 28 points on 51.5% shooting (30.8% from 3), plus grabbing 11.1 rebounds and dishing out 5.8 assists a night, and the Bucks are +20.8 points per 100 possessions better when he is on the court. If you prefer your stats in the advanced variety, he is seventh in win shares (despite the Bucks slow start), third in box score +/-, third in VORP, and second in PER.

Antetokounmpo has earned his place in any early-season MVP discussion. So has Curry. You can add Nikola Jokic (he has better advanced stat than last season when he won MVP), Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler to any list. Paul George and Anthony Davis are lurking just behind that first group, along with others. It’s early, there is a lot of MVP race to go and a lot more names that could go on that list.

As for the Bucks beating the Lakers Wednesday, here is the big takeaway:

Milwaukee had Antetokounmpo and got Khris Middleton back, and the Lakers missed LeBon James. A lot.

Deep stuff there, I know. You can try to make this game a puzzle piece in a larger picture if you want, but sometimes over the grind of an NBA season, it’s about who is available, and the Bucks had more of their good players on the court. Middleton scored 16 points and looked a bit rusty but did play 30 minutes. As the Bucks get healthy, that slow start to the season will be a distant memory — this team is still a contender.

The Lakers could get LeBron back Friday against the Celtics. Let him play a few games upon his return and then we can have a serious Lakers’ discussion. Right now, there are concerns but LeBron fixes a lot of them.

2) Suns win streak reaches 10 with win over Luka-less Mavs

The Suns look like the Suns again.

For the first four games of the season, Phoenix looked like it had a Finals hangover. They were a step slow and seemingly disinterested in the regular season. Then starting on Oct. 30 against the Cavaliers, the schedule got soft, and now Phoenix has rattled off 10 wins in a row.

The latest was 105-98 against the Mavericks without Luka Doncic. Devin Booker had 24 to lead a balanced Suns attack, and he stuck the dagger in Dallas late — the man needs just a sliver of space to make a defense pay.

Booker was putting on a show all night.

The Suns are playing top-five defense this season and their offense has been top 10 over the last eight games.

The Suns are the Suns again, which means they are contenders in the West.

3) The Kings can frustrate a veteran player like no other: The Tristan Thompson rant

Tristan Thompson —in his 11th NBA season and with a championship ring — has joined the long and storied club of veteran players frustrated with the Kings.

Sacramento just brings it out of players. Thompson went on a profanity-laced rant after the Kings came apart late and lost to the Timberwolves 107-97 Wednesday night.

“It’s a compound thing and what guys gotta understand is those little things over the course of 48 minutes, the ‘my bad’ after ‘my bad’ after ‘my bad’ is what is going to cost you a game in the fourth quarter and the reason why we got a loss…

“I’m gonna say this,” Thompson said. “I think no man in this world should rely on another man to inspire them. Point-blank, period. You can put that in all capitals. Me personally, no one should ever need a coach to inspire you. If you don’t get inspired in the game, then you shouldn’t be on the court. Losing teams, losing players, you need to get inspiration from your coach, and I’m not with that s***

“My teammates aren’t with it, because I know guys want to win and win badly. It’s not about coach Walton inspiring you, this is not no freaking Glory Road s***. You gotta be ready to play. Your number’s called, you in the damn game, I don’t need no f****** coach to inspire me. Never have, never will. The day I need a coach to inspire me, is the day I’m f****** retiring, I’m going to go play with my kids in the park. I speak for my teammates with that quote, we don’t need a coach to inspire us…

The Kings are actually a little better than their 6-9 record would indicate. They have the ninth-ranked offense in the NBA (and that despite the fact De'Aaron Fox is off to a slow start), but the Kings are 23rd in defense. The Kings have a +0.2 net rating, meaning they should be more like 8-7, but they cannot close out games.

Which frustrates Thompson.

Luke Walton’s seat got a little warm, and he is undoubtedly a part of the issues in Sacramento, but the bigger problem is this is a play-in level roster, and right now they are performing at a play-in level (they are 11th in the West now, in the mix for a play-in spot). They are who we thought they were. They are what their record says they are.

We’ll see if Thompson lit a fire under the Kings.

Highlight of the night: Franz Wagner is a highlight machine

If you had told me before the season Franz Wagner would have a couple of the best dunks of the year so far, I would have asked you where you buy your edibles. But here we are. He had this throw down on the Knicks.

Last night’s scores:

Charlotte 97, Washington 87
Detroit 97, Indiana 89
Atlanta 110, Boston 99
Brooklyn 109, Cleveland 99
Miami 113, New Orleans 98
Orlando 104, New York 98
Milwaukee 109, LA Lakers 102
Minnesota 107, Sacramento 97
Oklahoma City 101, Houston 89
Phoenix 105, Dallas 98
Portland 112, Chicago 107

Three things to Know: Do the Celtics have the Bucks number?

By Mar 31, 2023, 9:21 AM EDT
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Three Things To Know is NBC’s five-days-a-week wrap-up of the night before in the NBA. Check out NBCSports.com every weekday morning to catch up on what you missed the night before plus the rumors, drama, and dunks that make the NBA must-watch.

1) Do the Boston Celtics have the Milwaukee Bucks number?

I am often the Drum Major leading the “don’t read too much into the regular season game” parade. The marathon grind of 82 games and the circumstances surrounding any single game makes it very difficult to draw conclusions that apply to a playoff series.

Take last night’s showdown of the top two teams in the East, which saw the Celtics blow out the Bucks 140-99. Jayson Tatum scored 40 while Jaylen Brown added 30. Both Celtics’ stars sat the fourth quarter because this one was decided.

There are reasons for the Bucks’ off night. Milwaukee was on the second night of a back-to-back (they dominated the Pacers on Wednesday) and this was the first game back from a four-game road trip (those first games home are notorious letdowns). In the Celtics’ previous game, they got crushed by a struggling Wizards team.

Yet, it isn’t just this one 44-point game that has me thinking Boston is just a bad matchup and better than Milwaukee.

The two teams faced off in a Christmas Day showcase game and the Celtics won handily, 139-118. The Bucks won the rematch on Valentine’s Day in overtime (131-125), but the Celtics sat Tatum, Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford — four starters — for that game.

None of those games matter if these teams meet in the second half of May, when the Eastern Conference Finals tip-off. The No. 2 seed Celtics are lined up for a harder road through the playoffs (they could face the Heat and then the 76ers). Could that take a toll on them physically before matching up with the Bucks?

Maybe it doesn’t matter. It looks like Boston has Milwaukee’s number this year.

2) Julius Randle out until start of playoffs. At least.

The No.5 seed New York Knicks appear headed for a first-round showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks have a puncher’s chance to win that series.

But only if Julius Randle plays.

The Knicks’ All-Star forward and leading scorer will be re-evaluated in two weeks due to a sprained ankle, the team announced. That timeline has him being re-evaluated just a couple of days before the Knicks tip-off in the playoffs (either April 15 or 16).

Randle rolled his ankle going for a rebound and landing on Bam Adebayo‘s foot in the second quarter Wednesday night, and he left the game not to return. Tonight’s game against the aforementioned Cavaliers (in Cleveland) will be the first game Randle has missed all season.

Randle is playing at an All-NBA level again this season, averaging 25.1 points and 10 rebounds a game.

3) Cancel your plans: Must-watch NBA schedule Friday night

We’re approaching the season’s end and the schedule makers lined up some games with some weight for Friday night. It’s not like you had plans you can’t cancel. Here are the games worth watching (times Eastern).

• Knicks at Cavaliers (7:30, League Pass). This a first-round playoff matchup preview, except the Knicks will be without Julius Randle (hopefully he will be back in a couple of weeks for the games between these teams that really matter).

• Clippers at Grizzlies (8, League Pass). Two of the top five teams in the West, and maybe the two teams in the conference playing the best ball recently (Memphis is 8-2 in their last 10, the Clippers 7-3). While Paul George is out with a sprained knee and Kawhi Leonard is questionable (personal reasons), both of them sat out for the first game in this two-game set Wednesday night and the Clippers won anyway behind a big Russell Westbrook outing. The Grizzlies were without Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones in that first game, all are expected back tonight (the Grizzlies’ defense without Jackson was awful).

• Lakers at Timberwolves (8, NBA TV). Two teams in the middle of that moras at the bottom of the West (both teams are 39-38, but Minnesota has the tiebreaker coming in), and two teams that desperately need wins. The Timberwolves have been playing their best basketball of late (at least until the loss to the Suns), but will they have an answer for slowing LeBron James, and especially Anthony Davis (who remains the lynchpin to any Lakers’ success)? Matchup within the game to watch: Jarred Vanderbilt trying to slow Anthony Edwards is going to be fun.

• Nuggets at Suns (10:30, NBA TV). This lines up to be a second-round playoff preview (if both teams advance, which in this West is no lock). Does Denver have any answer for Kevin Durant? (Does anyone?) The Nuggets are on the second night of a back-to-back, but Nikola Jokić sat out the first game (a loss to the Pelicans) and is expected to play in this one.

BONUS THING TO KNOW: Brandon Ingram went off for a triple-double to lead the Pelicans past the Nuggets last night, scoring 31.

As expected, Alabama’s Brandon Miller says he will enter NBA Draft

By Mar 31, 2023, 7:48 AM EDT
NCAA BASKETBALL: MAR 24 Div I Men's Championship - San Diego State vs Alabama
Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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This is far from a surprise, but it’s now official.

Brandon Miller, the Alabama wing projected as likely top-three pick, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski he would enter this June’s NBA Draft.

Miller, a 6’9″ sharpshooting wing, has climbed draft boards over the course of this season as he has shown off more aspects of this game. He has good size, impressive athleticism and projects as a three or four in the NBA (two high-value positions). His skill set starts with being an elite shooter (39.9% on 3-pointers this season) who has the size to shoot over the top of many defenders, but this season showed off improved finishing at the rim and playmaking off the bounce.

The development and growth of Miller’s game (while Scoot Henderson played well but missed a lot of 3s in the G-League) put Miller in the mix for the No.2 pick (Victor Wembanyama remains the clear No.1). Most teams likely still lean toward Henderson and his otherworldly athleticism, but whoever the basketball lottery gods gift the No.2 pick will have a conversation.

Miller made more headlines this season for his off-the-court troubles than his play on it. Tuscaloosa police say he brought a gun to former Alabama teammate Darius Miles, who allegedly used it to shoot and kill Jamea Jonae Harris. Miller was never charged with a crime and multiple front office sources told NBC Sports that unless something changes and he is, this will not impact his draft status.

Check out more on the 2023 NBA Draft

Missouri v Alabama
Five potential lottery picks for NBA fans to watch in NCAA Tournament
Alabama v Texas A&M
Reports: Brandon Miller in mix for No. 2 pick with Scoot Henderson
G-League Ignite v College Park Skyhawks
G-League shuts down presumptive No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson for season

Watch Tatum score 40, Brown 30, Celtics blow out Bucks (again) 140-99

Associated PressMar 30, 2023, 11:06 PM EDT
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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 40 points, Jaylen Brown added 30 and the Boston Celtics steamrolled the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks 140-99 on Thursday night.

The Celtics (53-24) shot 22 of 43 from 3-point range and moved within two games of the Bucks (55-22) in the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics won the season series with the Bucks 2-1, which would give Boston the tiebreaker if both teams finish with the same record.

Boston’s performance in those three games with Milwaukee should give the Celtics plenty of confidence they could knock out the Bucks again if they meet in the postseason. The Celtics beat the Bucks in seven games in last season’s East semifinals.

The Celtics beat the Bucks 139-118 in Boston on Christmas Day and lost 131-125 in overtime on Feb. 14. The Celtics didn’t play Brown, Tatum, Marcus Smart or Al Horford in that overtime loss.

Milwaukee took a hit on the floor as well as in the standings. Bucks forward Khris Middleton left the game midway through the third quarter after taking an elbow to the face from Brown. The play resulted in a charging foul on Brown and caused Middleton to receive stitches on his upper lip.

Boston built a 114-74 lead through three periods, causing most of the starters for both teams to sit out the entire fourth quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 24 points.

This matched the Bucks’ most lopsided loss of the season. They fell 142-101 at Memphis on Dec. 15.

The Bucks were playing one night after a 149-136 victory at Indiana in which they shot a season-high 62.4% from the floor with Jrue Holiday scoring 51 points and Antetokounmpo having 38 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists. This marked the first time an NBA team had one player score at least 50 points and another have a triple-double with at least 35 points in the same game.

Milwaukee found the going quite a bit tougher Thursday.

Antetokounmpo shot just 11 of 27, including 0 for 5 from 3-point range. Holiday started his night by sinking a 3-pointer, but went 1 of 7 the rest of the way and finished with just six points.

After the first 8½ minutes of the game featured nine lead changes and five ties, the Celtics seized control by going on a 29-9 over the last seven-plus minutes. Boston capped that spurt by scoring 13 straight points.

Boston didn’t let up the rest of the night.

Milwaukee’s Thanasis Antetokounmpo was ejected with 1:25 left for head-butting Boston’s Blake Griffin. The head-butting came after Griffin committed a flagrant-1 foul against Antetokounmpo.

Check out more on the Celtics

Boston Celtics v Milwaukee Bucks
Three things to Know: Do the Celtics have the Bucks number?
Milwuakee Bucks v Denver Nuggets
NBA Power Rankings: Bucks hold down top spot, but Nuggets and Grizzlies are...
Boston Celtics v Sacramento Kings
PBT Podcast: Kings a playoff threat? Plus some summer free agent talk.

Knicks’ Julius Randle out at least two weeks with sprained ankle

By Mar 30, 2023, 5:21 PM EDT
Miami Heat v New York Knicks
Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
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In just a little more than two weeks, April 15 or 16, the New York Knicks will open the playoffs, likely on the road in Cleveland.

They hope to have Julius Randle back for that game.

The Knicks’ All-Star forward and leading scorer, Randle suffered a sprained ankle against the Heat on Wednesday night and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced.

That timeline has him re-evaluated days before the playoffs tip-off. He will not play again this regular season.

Randle rolled his ankle leaping for a rebound and landing on Bam Adebayo‘s foot in the second quarter, and he left the game not to return. Friday night against those Cavaliers (in Cleveland) will be the first game Randle has missed all season.

Randle is playing at an All-NBA level again this season, averaging 25.1 points and 10 rebounds a game. The Knicks have five games remaining in the season and are almost locked in as the No.5 seed, four games back of the No. 4 Cavaliers and 2.5 games up on the No.6 seed (and stumbling) Nets.