SATURDAY’S GAMES
TOP BUCKS PLAYER
Jabari Parker had back-to-back games of 20 points or more, scoring 21 against Phoenix on Wednesday and 26 against Orlando on Friday. He shot a career-high 85.7% (12 of 14) in the 103-100 victory over the Magic and scored the game-winning basket with a short hook shot from the right side. The 6-foot-8 forward hit 9 of 11 free throws against the Suns, and Bucks coach Jason Kidd praised him for taking the contact and getting to the foul line.
BUCKS LOOK AHEAD
Milwaukee ends a five-game homestand with a game Sunday against the rival Chicago Bulls and a visit from LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Then the Bucks open their final road trip Friday night in Boston against the Celtics, who are jockeying for playoff position in the tight Eastern Conference race.
BUCKS QUOTE
Kidd on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s role next season: “We’re going to go forward with him handling the ball. You can call him point guard, point forward, point center, however you want to look at it.” Indiana 115, at Philadelphia 102 Detroit 94, at Chicago 90 at S. Antonio 102, Toronto 95 Sacramento 115, at Denver 106 at Portland 110, Miami 93 Paul George had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Pacers, still the eighth seed in the East. Reggie Jackson scored 22 and Tobias Harris 21 as the Pistons overcame Jimmy Butler’s first triple-double. LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard combined for 64 points as the Spurs got a franchise-best 64th win. Rudy Gay had 25 points and nine rebounds as the Kings swept the teams’ three-game season series. Despite falling to the Trail Blazers, the Heat locked up a playoff spot when the Bulls lost.
« TOP NBA PLAYER
Don’t forget LeBron James. The Cleveland star has been the center of controversy with his cryptic tweets and other behavior, but he has stepped up his performance recently. He had a triple-double of 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against the New York Knicks on March 26. After sitting out for rest against Houston, he had 24 points and 11 assists in a 104-87 victory over Brooklyn on Thursday night. And James was superb with 29 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists as Cleveland built a huge lead and held off Atlanta, 110-108, in overtime Friday night at Philips Arena.
TOP NBA TEAM
Just when you were ready to write off the Dallas Mavericks, they have come back from the dead. Dallas went 2-10 while allowing more than 113 points per game and appeared headed for the draft lottery. But suddenly the Mavericks have discovered the power of defense, holding three successive opponents to fewer than 90 points and going 3-0 against Denver, New York and Detroit. Guard J.J. Barea scored 29 points and Wesley Matthews added 17 in a 98-89 victory at Detroit on Friday, as Dallas moved into a tie for seventh with Utah in the Western Conference race.
NBA RANKINGS (through Friday’s games)
Top 10: 1. Golden State, 2. San Antonio, 3. Cleveland, 4. Oklahoma City, 5. Toronto, 6. Los Angeles Clippers, 7. Boston, 8. Charlotte, 9. Atlanta, 10. Miami.
Middle 10: 11. Detroit, 12. Memphis, 13. Portland, 14. Dallas, 15. Indiana, 16. Chicago, 17. Utah, 18. Houston, 19. Washington, 20. Milwaukee.
Bottom 10: 21. Orlando, 22. Denver, 23. New York, 24. Sacramento, 25. New Orleans, 26. Minnesota, 27. Brooklyn, 28. Phoenix, 29. Los Angeles Lakers, 30. Philadelphia.
ONE MAN’S OPINION
Kidd made a smart move in announcing Antetokounmpo’s status as the point guard or primary ballhandler next season.
The coach’s straightforward response to a post-practice question set Twitter on fire for a few hours Tuesday. Yes, the Bucks really do have a 6-foot-11 point man.
The benefits of saying it now and not later are tangible. Antetokounmpo gets a huge boost of affirmation from his coach, getting rewarded for his play since the all-star break. And Antetokounmpo knows what he has to work on, or his summer studies, as he and Kidd referred to it.
The Greek Freak’s teammates don’t have to wonder all summer about the point guard spot. They already know Antetokounmpo is doing the job, and they have a clearer vision of how the Bucks will be playing in the future.
It also serves to give the franchise direction as it heads into the draft and free agency this summer. What pieces will fit best around Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker in this setup?
Kidd also said Michael Carter-Williams can play a role as another playmaker on the floor. But Kidd said CarterWilliams has to be diligent to improve his shooting this summer if he wants to be a factor.