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The Best of the Day: May 13th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from May 13, 2021 including PHX's clutch win over POR, Giannis' monster game vs. IND, and more!
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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 5/13 here.
The Phoenix Suns outlasted the Portland Trail Blazers in the game of the day thanks to clutch performances from Chris Paul and Cameron Payne in the fourth quarter. The victory was huge for the Suns as they look to grab the top overall seed with the postseason right around the corner. Also, the Heat are as dangerous as any team in the East, the Kings are in the midst of a historic postseason drought, and Derek Fisher hit an iconic buzzer-beater on this day in 2004.
Here is the best of the day from May 13, 2021:
Cam Payne & CP3 came up big down the stretch to lift Phoenix over Portland
Chris Paul and Cameron Payne were huge in the fourth quarter for the Phoenix Suns Thursday night. Payne recorded 11 points down the stretch while CP3 scored eight, as the two combined to shoot 8-9 in the final frame to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-117.
Cam Payne and Chris Paul took over when it mattered for a clutch Suns dub https://t.co/V3mfYuIZF4
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 14, 2021
It was Devin Booker though, who brought home the dub. The sixth-year Kentucky product hit the go-ahead free throws with 2.4 seconds left after a controversial foul call to seal the win. The victory brings Phoenix to within one game of the top-seeded Utah Jazz with only two contests remaining.
Portland was led by Damian Lillard‘s 41 points, and CJ McCollum, who finished with 27 points including hitting 5-of-9 of his 3’s. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the Blazers, as their lead for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot has dwindled to just half-a-game due to the Lakers’ three-game win streak. Those two teams, along with Dallas, are separated by just one game, as the race to avoid the play-in tournament is coming down to the wire with the West’s 5th vs. 7th seed making all the difference.
Related: Stories of the Day
THE MIAMI HEAT ARE BUILT TO BEAT ANY TEAM IN THE EAST
The Miami Heat are the reigning Eastern Conference champions and have shown recently that they can beat any team in the East, just like they did last year. They currently sit in fifth, half a game back from Atlanta. They are in a good position right now because they have a potential first-round matchup with either the Hawks or Knicks, who are considered to be two of the weakest teams in the entire postseason field as unproven teams located towards the top of the standings, that are poised to be upset.
When it comes to some of the top teams in the conference, Miami can hang with the best of them. They beat Philadelphia on Thursday night and held Joel Embiid to only six points and two boards. This is the fewest rebounds he’s ever had when playing 25+ minutes in a game. Bam Adebayo is an elite defender in this league and can shut down some of the East’s largest threats. He proved this Thursday and when Giannis Antetokounmpo was put in check last year on their way to a series victory over Milwaukee in five games.
Additionally, Brooklyn already has the most risk of any contender, given their injury concerns and lack of continuity their star trio has been able to develop. This shows that Miami has the ability to match up well and potentially defeat these top Eastern Conference squads. With their talented and proven roster along with the leadership of Jimmy Butler, the Heat have what it takes to beat any team in the East. MIA showed that last season and are displaying it once again as they enter the 2021 postseason red-hot.
COLORS KEY | FULL HEAT OUTLOOK
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Coby rising up on the Raptors
Coby White RISING UP 😳 pic.twitter.com/RNchHzRbB0
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 14, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
F Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (W @IND): 40 PTS (14-18 FG | 1-1 3P), 6 AST, 15 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 1 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (5/13/21) - F Giannis Antetokounmpo
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 14, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 1st player w/ 40 PTS/15 REB/5 AST/75% FG since 1988
- 2nd player w/ 25 PPG/10 RPG/5 APG in 3 straight years
- 2nd most GP with 40 PTS/15 REB/5 AST since 2013
KEY STATS:
40 PTS, 15 REB, 6 AST, 14-18 FG (78%) https://t.co/giq6EpzRpJ
Related: Players of the Day
Portland Trail Blazers (117) vs. Phoenix Suns (118) [GW-FTs]
[Highlights] @SUNS (-151; $14.41) d. BLAZERS (+133; $11.18) 118-117 (GW-FTs) [POR +3 | u236]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
Dennis Rodman was one of the best rebounders to ever play the game
Dennis Rodman's HOF resume:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 13, 2021
- 7x NBA REB Leader
- 5x NBA Champion
- 2x NBA DPOY
- 8x All-Defense
- 2x All-NBA
- 2x All-Star
- #10 retired by #Pistons https://t.co/gVOplcYgDw
Dennis Rodman’s REB records include:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 13, 2021
- Most RPG (18.7) in a season since merger
- Most consecutive REB titles (7) in NBA history
- Oldest (36) player to lead NBA in REB
- #Bulls all-time leader in RPG (15.3)
- #Pistons season leader in REB (91-92) pic.twitter.com/qgnT5fNWI6
Most RPG in a season since NBA merger:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 13, 2021
1. 1991-92 Dennis Rodman (18.7)
2. 1992-93 Dennis Rodman (18.3)
3. 1978-79 Moses Malone (17.6)
4. 1993-94 Dennis Rodman (17.3)
5. 1994-95 Dennis Rodman (16.8)
6. 1996-97 Dennis Rodman (16.1)
pic.twitter.com/a0oRkQESYo
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: May 13, 2004
SIGNIFICANCE: Lakers PG Derek Fisher hit an iconic GW buzzer-beater to defeat the Spurs in Game 5 of the WCF
May 13, 2004: Los Angeles Lakers PG Derek Fisher drains an iconic GW buzzer-beater over the San Antonio Spurs to help the Lakers win a crucial Game 5 in the 2004 Western Conference Finals
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 13, 2021
pic.twitter.com/Tc3JrF4q8f
Related: Significant Sports History
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