HOT
The Best of the Day: June 17th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from June 17, 2021, including Giannis/Middleton's Game 6 performances, Aaron Judge's HR robbery, and more!
ESPN/YouTube
The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 6/17 here.
Giannis and Middleton‘s performances led to the Bucks forcing a Game 7 against the Nets. Aaron Judge robbed a Home Run from Toronto. Dallas Mavericks HC Rick Carlisle resigned, resulting in the 7th NBA HC job opening for this offseason, while June 17th marked the 45th anniversary of the ABA-NBA merger.
Here is the best of the day from June 17, 2021:
Big games from Giannis & Middleton forced a Game 7 vs. Brooklyn
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton led the Bucks to a Game 6 victory over the Nets. Middleton had one of the best games of his career with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and shooting 5-8 from beyond the arc, while the rest of the Bucks shot just 2-25 on 3PT. Giannis also had a big game with 30 points and 27 rebounds along with 60% FG shooting.
For the Nets, Kevin Durant still had a big game with 32 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to stop the duo of Giannis and Middleton. James Harden got off to a great start in the first half but faded down the stretch as he recovers from the lingering hamstring injury. Game 7 will be played in Brooklyn, and the winner will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Middleton beats the 3Q buzzer 😮 pic.twitter.com/EjGXwGIqOb
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 18, 2021
Giannis to the rack 💪 pic.twitter.com/StbC714i1r
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 18, 2021
It's too easy for Giannis 💨 pic.twitter.com/HnPPZb7wkC
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 18, 2021
Khris Middleton historic game tonight.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 18, 2021
38 PTS (playoff career-high)
10 REB
5 AST
5 STL
5 3PT
11-16 FG
He is the first player in NBA history with 30/10/5/5s and 5+ threes in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/chjrogHCee
Teammates with 30 Pts on 60% FG when facing elimination over the last 30 years:
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 18, 2021
Giannis & Middleton (Thu. vs BKN)
Murray & Jokic (in bubble vs UTAH)
Clyde & Olajuwon (1995 vs UTAH) https://t.co/YrBaZ3DesH
Related: Stories of the Day
WHEN GIANNIS DOESN’T TAKE THE BAIT & STAYS IN THE PAINT, HE’S UNSTOPPABLE
After Milwaukee’s dominant performance in Game 6 to even the series, it’s time for the best two words in sports: “Game Seven”. KD had 32 points for Brooklyn, but there wasn’t a whole lot of offensive production outside of him. The Bucks duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton dominated the game, combining for 68 points and 27 rebounds. They each shot at least 60% from the field as well. The series will now head back to Brooklyn for the winner-take-all Game 7 with a conference championship spot on the line.
Most teams that face Giannis will allow him to shoot the deep ball for two reasons. The first is that he shoots below the league’s average by about seven percent, and secondly, they know he’s unstoppable when he gets in the paint. In Game 6, The Greek Freak didn’t settle for the long shots, and instead drove to the lane, which is when he’s at his best.
Antetokounmpo didn’t even attempt a three-pointer for the first time over the last three postseason, but still finished with 30 points and shot 60% from the field, proving that when he doesn’t take the bait, he’s impossible to guard. The 2x regular season NBA MVP has struggled in the playoffs but when he plays his game, he’s dominant, especially against a weak interior Nets defense. Giannis’ mental approach to the game completely dictates how he performs, because the only thing that can stop him is himself.
COLORS KEY | FULL BUCKS OUTLOOK
Giannis is taking over 😨 pic.twitter.com/CTPghqZ74j
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 18, 2021
Giannis threw it DOWN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nUpaMol6V4
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 18, 2021
Giannis has scored at least 30 points and grabbed 12+ rebounds in each of his last three games, the longest such streak in the PS for any #NBA player since LeBron in 2012. The last player to do that in four straight PS games was Tim Duncan in 2003 (4). https://t.co/HSNjPLaHm1
— Elias Sports Bureau (@EliasSports) June 17, 2021
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Judge with the HR-robbery
ALL RISE! pic.twitter.com/Lo5SbUe2aV
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
SF Khris Middleton, MIL (W v.BKN): 38 PTS (11-16 FG | 5-8 3P), 5 AST, 10 REB, 0 BLK, 5 STL, 4 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (6/17/21) - SF Khris Middleton, MIL
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 18, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 1st w/ 30+pts/10+reb/5+ast/5+stl/5+3's in 1 playoff GP
- 2nd duo with 30p/10r each 2x in same postseason
- 3rd duo w/ 30p/60% FG in an elimination GP since '91
KEY STATS:
38 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 5 STL, 11-16 FG https://t.co/fCd1eJnqAc
Related: Players of the Day
Brooklyn Nets (89) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (104)
[Highlights] #3 @BUCKS (-255; $9.48) d. #2 NETS (+218; $11.03) 104-89 [MIL -6 | u220.5] (TIED 3-3)
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
With 7 and counting HC job openings in the NBA, take a look at some of the best candidates
Top 5 Coaching candidates in the NBA:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 17, 2021
1. Rick Carlisle
2. Chauncey Billups
3. Sam Cassell
4. Jason Kidd
5. Kenny Atkinson
Hon. mention: Becky Hammond
Job Openings:#BleedGreen #MFFL #AlwaysGame #Wontbowdown #MagicTogether #RipCity #DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/LvXGNGHUpC
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: June 17, 1976
SIGNIFICANCE: The ABA-NBA merger was officially finalized after 4 ABA teams joined the NBA in 1976
FULL story on the NBA-ABA merger in 1976 that changed basketball forever! https://t.co/OspRYrlypR
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 17, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
Share the Best of the Day and follow below for more great sports content!
