The NBA on Sunday named the finalists for its top individual awards. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) are the front-runners to win the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Player) award while Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) and Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers) lead the Most Improved Pleayer category. The winners of the awards will be announced during the postseason.
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Jokic is a finalist for a second straight NBA MVP award. He has has averaged 26.6 points, 13.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 71 games this season. Two-time winner Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged 29.7 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 61 games this season. Joel Embiid has averaged 29.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 62 games.
The other finalists are:
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mikal Bridges (Phoenix), Rudy Gobert (Utah), Marcus Smart (Boston).
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COACH OF THE YEAR
Taylor Jenkins (Memphis), Erik Spoelstra (Miami), Monty Williams (Phoenix).
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Darius Garland (Cleveland), Ja Morant (Memphis), Dejounte Murray (San Antonio).
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Scottie Barnes (Toronto), Cade Cunningham (Detroit), Evan Mobley (Cleveland).
SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR
Tyler Herro (Miami), Cam Johnson (Phoenix), Kevin Love (Cleveland).
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Meanwhile, Milwaukee Bucks, after blowing their early lead, came back strong against the Chicago Bulls to win 93-86 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series Sunday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points and 16 rebounds.
“We’ve got to win the ugly games,” said Jrue Holiday, whose 3-pointer with 5:03 left put the Bucks ahead for good.
“I feel like today was ugly. It was a battle and it was tough, but it was an ugly one.”
“I thought it was a good shot,” LaVine said. “We were down three. I got a really clean look.”
After shooting 53.8% (14 of 26) in the first quarter, the Bucks made just 34.5% of their attempts (20 of 58) the rest of the way. They had an equal number of turnovers and baskets – 14 – in the second half.
“The whole team was kind of out of rhythm,” said Antetokounmpo, who didn’t score in the fourth quarter while dealing with foul trouble. “We weren’t able to find one another as easy as we usually find one another and make shots. We missed a bunch of open shots today. Usually we make those and we get energy.”
