Five former Michigan State players make NBA postseason, one playing for G-League title
Five former Michigan State players will be in action, with two set to play one another in the first round. Draymond Green, Golden State WarriorsGreen was limited to 46 games due to injury, his lowest total in an NBA season (not including the shortened 2019-20 campaign.) Gary Harris, Orlando MagicIn his eighth NBA season, Harris averaged 11.1 points per game. Xavier Tillman Sr., Memphis GrizzliesTillman averaged 4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in his second NBA season, playing 13.2 minutes per game in 53 games. He spent then two games with the Utah Jazz and averaged 2.9 points per game in his fifth NBA season.
mlive.comPistons’ second unit steps up in preseason victory over Spurs
DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons have been looking for some competition to see how they stack up against other teams. After a slow start Wednesday, the Pistons more-experienced second unit helped set them up for a 115-105 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in their preseason opener at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons fell into a slump in the second quarter with their offense going cold. The Spurs outshot the Pistons 25-9 in the second quarter and erased the double-digit lead that Detroit’s more-experienced second unit built. Ahead of Wednesday’s action, head coach Dwane Casey hinted that the second unit would be heavily stacked with veterans to help in the development of the younger players.
mlive.comMiddleton, Antetokounmpo lead Bucks past Nuggets 125-112
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, moves to the rim as Denver Nuggets forward JaMychal Green defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Denver. Middleton had 29 points and a career-high 12 assists, Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and the Milwaukee Bucks won their fifth straight game by beating the Denver Nuggets 125-112 on Monday night. “We still find ourselves trying to figure out how to be a team that plays a lot better in the second half,” Malone said. “We’ve lost three in a row because we haven’t defended anybody.”TIP-INSBucks: The Bucks outrebounded the Nuggets 50-38. “Hope that he's going to be well.”MAIN ATTRACTIONAsked about the marquee matchup between Jokic and Antetokounmpo, Malone feigned hurt feelings.
Giannis scores 43 as Bucks beat Pistons 125-115
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)MILWAUKEE – Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 43 points and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Detroit Pistons 125-115 on Monday night to move above the .500 mark for the first time this season. The reigning two-time MVP scored 30 points by halftime, shot 17 of 24 from the floor overall and finished with nine rebounds. Antetokounmpo said he might have gotten a little more room to operate inside because the Bucks (4-3) have shot so well from 3-point range lately. Bucks: Milwaukee didn’t have reserve guards Pat Connaughton or Sam Merrill available. This is the Pistons’ second straight back-to-back set, as they split two home games with Boston on Friday and Sunday.
Antetokounmpo won't say whether he will sign supermax offer
MILWAUKEE – Giannis Antetokounmpo praised the “amazing” moves the Milwaukee Bucks have made to improve the team, but the two-time reigning MVP stopped short Wednesday of saying he would sign a supermax contract extension offer. “Right now I’m not focusing on that,” Antetokounmpo said during his first preseason discussion with reporters. He has until Dec. 21 to sign the extension, or else he will be eligible to become a free agent after the 2020-21 season. The Bucks say the uncertainty surrounding Antetokounmpo's future hasn't impacted the team's focus as it gets ready for the season. When Antetokounmpo celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday, each of the Bucks gave him a pen as a gift.