NBA Wrap: Giannis-led Bucks clinch top seed in east after rallying past 76ers

Giannis Antetokounmpo staked his claim for NBA MVP honours after leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 128-122 win at the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Bucks came from behind to upstage the 76ers in Philadelphia as they secured the top seed in the east thanks to Antetokounmpo, who posted 45 points and 13 rebounds.

Down five points with less than two minutes to play, Antetokounmpo could not find a way to get a shot off as the 76ers keyed on him, but he influenced so many plays it did not matter on Thursday.

The 24-year-old star tallied three rebounds, three assists and a block during that span as the Bucks finished the game on a 15-4 run.

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer spoke about Antetokounmpo’s MVP candidacy after the game.

“That felt like a statement, especially what he does defensively with five blocks and 13 rebounds, it changes the game,” he said.

Antetokoumpo finished with six assists, five blocks and zero turnovers and he needed every single one of those stats as Joel Embiid seemed to match him play for play via 34 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists of his own.

Bucks star Antetokounmpo sent back one Embiid shot late in the game and blocked the All-Star center three times through the 48 minutes.

Hield lifts Kings

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield had a game-high 23 points on nine-of-16 shooting in his team’s 117-104 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

DeMarcus Cousins recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-90.

JJ Redick had 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting as the 76ers lost.

Knight struggles

Cavaliers guard Brandon Knight had five points on one-of-seven shooting.

Giannis says no!

In a titanic tussle against Embiid, fellow All-Star Antetokounmpo came out on top with the block.

Stopped. #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/XOHWqctWR6— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 5, 2019

Thursday’s results

Milwaukee Bucks 128-122 Philadelphia 76ers
Sacramento Kings 117-104 Cleveland Cavaliers
Golden State Warriors 108-90 Los Angeles Lakers

Playoffs on the line in Eastern Conference

With two to four games left for most teams in the east – the sixth, seventh and eighth playoff spots are still up for grabs. Here are all the games to watch on Friday as 26 of 30 teams are in action.

Raptors (56-23) at Hornets (36-42) – The Charlotte Hornets are all but eliminated, but not mathematically. A loss to the Toronto Raptors would all but knock them out.

Hawks (29-50) at Magic (39-40) — The Orlando Magic are tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the seventh playoff spot with three games to play.

Heat (38-40) at Timberwolves (35-43) — The Miami Heat are on the outside looking in on the eighth playoff position.

Pistons (39-39) at Thunder (45-33) — The Detroit Pistons are currently in sixth in the East Conference.