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The Best of the Day: May 22nd, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from May 22, 2021 including Middleton's GW-FG in OT vs. MIA, Luka's historic triple-double vs. LAC, and more!
CBS Sports
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 5/22 here.
The 2021 NBA postseason got underway Saturday with several teams beginning their quests for a title. The Bucks were able to exercise some playoff demons vs. Miami in a classic playoff-type contest thanks to Khris Middleton’s game-winner in OT to take a 1-0 series lead. The Nets secured a Game 1 win over Boston thanks to their star trio, however, the win highlighted how Brooklyn’s defense will determine whether they can capture the franchise’s first ever NBA title or not. Also, Luka Doncic recorded a historic third postseason triple-double in the Dallas’ win over the Clippers, and PSO ranked the top NBA title contenders entering the tournament.
Here is the best of the day from May 22, 2021:
Khris Middleton’s GW overcame Jimmy Butler’s OT-forcing buzzer-beater in Game 1
The Milwaukee Bucks took Game 1 of their opening round series with the Miami Heat thanks to Khris Middleton‘s game-winning buzzer-beater in overtime. With the clock winding down, Middleton held the ball before driving right and pulling up to hit the dagger with 0.5 seconds remaining.
Use clock.
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
Get to your spot.
Pull up for the WIN, Khris!
Every angle of @Khris22m's Game 1 @Bucks game-winner. 🔥
Game 2: Mon, 7:30 PM ET, TNT pic.twitter.com/VTtLFfXxjZ
Middleton led the Bucks in scoring with 27 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points and 18 rebounds, but struggled from the floor, hitting just 10 of his 27 shots. This was an extremely important game for a Bucks team looking to get over the hump and avenge last season’s shocking 4-1 series loss in the second round to Miami.
Giannis in transition 😤 pic.twitter.com/38EovrRc8b
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 22, 2021
Things looked like they might be trending in that direction once again after Jimmy Butler tied the game at the end of regulation to force overtime with a buzzer-beater of his own despite a poor shooting night from himself and Bam Adebayo, as Miami’s top two scorers combined to shoot 8-37 FG (22%). Overtime went back-and-forth, but Milwaukee stayed composed and was able to earn an important Game 1 victory that is sure to give them the confidence they need moving forward.
JIMMY BUCKETS SENDS IT TO OT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/cNt6rPIfuK
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 22, 2021
Related: Stories of the Day
BROOKLYN’S TITLE CHANCES ALL COME DOWN TO THEIR DEFENSE
The Brooklyn Nets and their star trio played their first postseason game together on Saturday and secured a Game 1 victory after a slow start. They found themselves down six at halftime but put together a much better performance in the second half, showing the kind of defensive potential this offensive powerhouse can reach. Although the big three combined for a robust 82 points, what sparked the comeback was their defensive efforts, holding Boston to only 40 points in the second half to claim the Game 1 victory.
It is well known that Brooklyn can score the basketball, with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving all as viable options, but their ability to stop opponents from scoring is what could keep them from grabbing the title. The Nets were ranked 21st in points allowed during the 2020-21 regular season, which was one of the worst among playoff teams. There is no doubt they can score, but championship-level defense wasn’t thought to be part of their DNA yet they showed that in the second half of Game 1. If they can consistently defend at even an average level, it’ll be hard for anyone to compete at Brooklyn’s level
COLORS KEY | FULL NETS OUTLOOK
The @BrooklynNets dynamic trio drops 82 in their first #NBAPlayoffs game together. 👀@KDTrey5: 32 PTS, 12 REB@KyrieIrving: 29 PTS@JHarden13: 21 PTS, 8 AST, 4 STL
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
Game 2 - Tue, 7:30pm/et, TNT pic.twitter.com/pwpH4WXIMN
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Middleton won it for Milwaukee
MIDDLETON WINS IT FOR MILWAUKEE 😱 pic.twitter.com/Xnpg7iDYnf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 22, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
G Luka Doncic, DAL (W @LAC): 31 PTS (11-24 FG | 5-11 3P), 11 AST, 10 REB, 2 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (5/22/21) - G Luka Doncic, DAL
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 23, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 1st NBA player w/ 3 triple-doubles in 1st 7 playoff GP
- Most playoff 30pt triple-doubles before turning 23
- Only Mavs player with a playoff triple-double (3)
KEY STATS:
31 PTS, 11 AST, 10 REB, 11-24 FG, 5-11 3P https://t.co/VQezxxGnJh
Related: Players of the Day
Miami Heat (107) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (109) [GW-FG in OT]
[Highlights] #3 @BUCKS (-200; $9.48) d. #6 HEAT (+176; $8.99) 109-107 (GW-FG in OT) [MIA +5 | u226.5] (MIL 1-0)
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
PSO ranks the top NBA Championship contenders based on a variety of key factors
NBA Championship rankings entering the playoffs:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 22, 2021
1. Los Angeles #Lakers
2. Brooklyn #Nets
3. Milwaukee #Bucks
4. Los Angeles #Clippers
5. Utah #Jazz
6. Miami #Heat
7. Philadelphia #76ers
8. Portland #TrailBlazers
9. Phoenix #Suns
10. Denver #Nuggets pic.twitter.com/uFnBoicACn
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: May 22, 2009 & 2013
SIGNIFICANCE: LeBron drained 2 of his NBA-record 5 career postseason GW buzzer-beaters on the same date (may 22nd)
FULL story on LeBron's multiple postseason buzzer-beaters OTD in history: https://t.co/uJ3iCYRwj0
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 23, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
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