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The Best of the Day: May 4th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from May 4, 2021 including Bucks beating the Nets again, CP3 leading PHX to an OT win vs. CLE, 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 5/4 here.
The Bucks took down Brooklyn once again, led by a huge performance from Milwaukee’s Big 3. MIL will need performances like this to be the norm if they are to get over the hump and reach the finals this season. Despite their disappointing season, the Pelicans have as bright of a future as anybody, thanks to Lonzo Ball’s drastic improvement. Also, Chris Paul’s superb game powered the Suns past the Cavs in OT, Cam Johnson threw down a posterizing dunk, and this season is the most competitive in MLB history through 30 games.
Here is the best of the day from May 4th, 2021:
Bucks take down the Nets again powered by their Big 3
When discussing the top teams in the East this season, the Bucks have often been the third team mentioned behind the Nets and 76ers. However, after defeating Brooklyn for the second time in three nights and now owning a 5-1 record vs. those two squads, Milwaukee has proven it deserves to be included in that discussion.
Despite struggling from the floor (11-for-30 shooting), Giannis Antetokounmpo still piled up 36 points and 12 rebounds to propel the Bucks to the 124-118 home win. Most importantly, Giannis received plenty of support from Milwaukee’s other top players. Jrue Holiday (23 & 10) and Khris Middleton (23 pts) both came up big which will be key for them to get over the hump in the playoffs.
The story of Milwaukee’s past two playoff exits, despite having the league’s best record entering the postseason each time, has been the lack of a supporting cast surrounding Giannis. Both Toronto (2019) and Miami (2020) were able to exploit this by limiting Giannis (by his ridiculous standards) and forcing his teammates to step up, which they were unable to do in both series losses.
It will be a tall order for the Bucks to get out of the East, considering they will likely have to go through both Philadelphia and Brooklyn in the second and third rounds. However, there’s no denying this is the best roster surrounding Giannis, and perhaps being an underdog will serve them well. While it remains to be seen if they can get over the hump, if their performances vs. the top teams are any indication, they have a real shot to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974.
Giannis follows up his season high 49 with 36, leading the @Bucks to another W vs. BKN! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UUEwEtlr8Y
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2021
85 total points for @Giannis_An34 over back-to-back @Bucks wins vs. Brooklyn! pic.twitter.com/SUlsQpJm4A
— NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2021
Related: Stories of the Day
LONZO’S DRASTIC DEVELOPMENT GIVES NOLA 1 OF THE NBA’S BRIGHTEST FUTURES
The New Orleans Pelicans are fueled with one of the best young players in NBA history. Zion Williamson is having an all-time efficiently high-volume season, and he’s only a NBA sophomore. NOLA’s No.1 scorer F Brandon Ingram is just 23 years old and under contract for four more years. The Pels have their star duo intact for the long-term, but it’s Lonzo Ball‘s recent rise that can take them over the top during the next decade.
A day after Golden State got the best of New Orleans during a Marvel-inspired AR broadcast, the Pelicans were looking for revenge to stay in the playoff race. As good as Zion (23p, 12r, 7a) played, Ingram struggled (13p, 5a, 3r), and the Pels’ playoff chances would’ve quickly diminished if it wasn’t for Lonzo Ball showing his future All-Star potential on Tuesday. Ball tied his career-high with 33 points, went 7-13 on 3PA, and drained the game-winning bucket to lift New Orleans to victory.
Ball’s future is somewhat uncertain as a pending RFA. The front office will be able to match any offer Ball receives this summer, but could choose not to re-up the 23-year-old Guard after drafting Kira Lewis in the lottery last year. Lonzo could join his brother LaMelo in Charlotte under legendary owner Michael Jordan, or could choose to play in a bigger market like New York or Chicago.
The UCLA product is putting up career-highs across the board in 2020-21 and showcasing the ability to impact the game in all facets. If he does stay in Louisiana alongside Zion and Ingram, it would give NOLA one of the brightest futures in the NBA.
COLORS KEY | FULL PELICANS OUTLOOK
CLUTCH shot by Lonzo 🥶 pic.twitter.com/N6w8MI1458
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 5, 2021
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Cam with the OT reverse special
THIS CAM JOHNSON REVERSE POSTER ON JARRETT ALLEN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/hnH6n9Kb74
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 5, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
PG Chris Paul, PHX (W @CLE): 23 PTS (8-16 FG | 2-3 3P), 16 AST, 6 REB, 2 BLK, 4 STL, 0 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (5/4/21) - PG Chris Paul, PHX
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 5, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 2nd most GP (44) with 10+ AST & 0 TOV since 1985
- T-most GP (3) w/ 20+ PTS/15+ AST/0 TOV since 1978
- 3x more GP (44) w/ 10+ ast/0 tov than any active player
KEY STATS:
23 PTS, 16 AST, 4 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TOV, 8-16 FG https://t.co/k3QWPZQf8c
Related: Players of the Day
Phoenix Suns (134) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (118) [OT]
[Highlights] SUNS (-1021; $14.78) d. @CAVALIERS (+691; $10.26) 134-118 (OT) [PHX -13 | o219.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
The Chiefs lead the way in a list that features plenty of teams with extremely promising futures
Post-2021 NFL Draft Future Dynasty Rankings
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 4, 2021
1. #Chiefs
2. #Bills
3. #Cowboys
4. #Browns
5. #Chargers
Honorable Mention:#Cardinals, #Jaguars, #Patriots, #49ers pic.twitter.com/AlmcH6Akf1
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: May 4, 1871
SIGNIFICANCE: The 1st MLB game ever was played exactly 2 years after the 1st professional baseball team was formed
May 4, 1871: The very 1st Major League game ever was played in a National Association contest between the Cleveland Forest Cities and Ft. Wayne Kekiongas; Ft. Wayne would win 2-0 pic.twitter.com/kVlSaQPgCR
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 4, 2021
May 4, 1869: Cincinnati Red Stockings played their 1st official game, becoming baseball's 1st professional team in a 45-9 defeat of the Great Western Baseball Club pic.twitter.com/P2vrobZgZ9
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 4, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
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