Giannis Antetokounmpo

NBA All-Star 2024: Who Are The Eastern Conference Starters?

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NBA All-Star Weekend is almost upon us, taking place on Sunday, February 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The event consists of the usual festivities and competitions, including the Celebrity Game, as well as the 3-Point and Slam Dunk Contests, among others. As the celebrated weekend draws closer, anticipation rises while revealing the starting lineups for the 2023-24 NBA All-Star Game.

The 73rd edition of the All-Star Game sees the NBA returning to the traditional Eastern vs. Western conference format, with two guards and three front-court players in their starting lineups. They previously implemented a draft in 2017 where captains chose players regardless of conference. According to NBA Communications, three voting groups determined the starters: 50% fan votes, 25% NBA players, and 25% media panel. Head coaches chose the reserves for each team. Both conferences are stacked with big names and many of the best players in the league. Today, we are looking at the NBA All-Star starters in the Eastern Conference. Take a look at the players below.

Tyrese Haliburton

Indiana Pacers player Tyrese Haliburton was unanimously ranked No. 1 in the NBA All-Star voting among fans, players, and media. Last year, the 23-year-old point guard played his first All-Star game as a reserve for the East, also as a top selection. Recently, Haliburton joined John Stockton and Magic Johnson as one of the only NBA players ever to achieve consecutive 20-point and 20-assist games. He also tied former Pacers player Jamaal Tinsley’s record for most assists in a single game. As a starter in this year’s NBA All-Star Game, he will be playing on his home court.

Damian Lillard

This year is Damian Lillard’s eighth selection for the NBA All-Star Game but his first as a starter. The Milwaukee Bucks point guard’s first appearance as an All-Star was back in 2014. That year, he became the first player to participate in all five events in All-Star Weekend. Lillard most recently scored the game-winning shot in last year’s game alongside fellow Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo. When he is not dropping buckets, he is spitting bars as Dame D.O.L.L.A. As a rapper, Damian Lillard has released four studio albums, with his most recent being 2021’s Different On Levels The Lord Allowed. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Like Tyrese Haliburton, Giannis Antetokounmpo was also ranked No. 1 in voting across the board by fans, players, and media for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. This year marks the fourth year for the “Greek Freak” as an All-Star team captain and the eighth consecutive selection overall. The Bucks’ forward will once again lead the Eastern Conference as captain against LeBron James and the Western Conference for the fourth time. He was also awarded Game MVP back in 2021. While each player in the NBA All-Star Western Conference plays for a different team, the Eastern Conference sees Antetokounmpo and Lillard representing the Bucks. 

Jayson Tatum

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was named the MVP in last year’s All-Star Game. This year marks his fifth selection as an All-Star, and second as a starter. He currently holds the most points scored in an All-Star game, dropping 55 points in 2023. Additionally, he won the Skills Challenge competition in 2019. Jayson Tatum has led the Celtics to be 35-11 this season so far, currently standing at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Joel Embiid

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will be playing his seventh NBA All-Star Game. Back in 2018, he became the first 76ers player to be selected to start since Allen Iverson. Since then, he has consistently been playing in All-Star games alongside Lillard and Antetokounmpo. The three of them have appeared the most as All-Stars out of this year’s Eastern Conference starters. An integral player to the Philadelphia team’s roster, Embiid and his teammates currently stand at No. 3 in the Eastern Conference, under the Celtics and the Bucks with 29 wins and 15 losses. 

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Readies “The Marvelous Journey” Doc About His Life

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He’s stretching that wingspan and extending his reach into film production, as Giannis Antetokounmpo has made a huge announcement this week. The Milwaukee Bucks star shared on X that he launched Improbable Media alongside his co-founder, sports analyst Jay Williams. Their first major release will be none other than a feature on Prime Video that centers on the life and career of the Greek-Nigerian standout NBA player.

“Proud to announce the launch of @ImprobableMedia with my family and our first feature-length production,” Antetokounmpo wrote in his post. “It’s the true story about me and my family’s journey and I can’t wait to share it with you. Premieres February 19th on @PrimeVideo.”

The Story Of “The Greek Freak”

Giannis: The Marvelous Journey will, of course, feature the NBA superstar alongside his loved ones. Yet, it will also highlight commentary from people in Antetokounmpo’s inner circle. He comes from an impoverished childhood in Greece as the son of Nigerian immigrants and climbed to the top of the basketball world. His teammates and coaches share stories about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s drive and dedication, offering a rare glimpse into his sphere.

The film is an intimate portrait of a global superstar and one of the NBA’s most dominating performers. This is the two-time league MVP led the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship in 2021. However, before hitting the big leagues, Antetokounmpo was simply the child of parents who moved to a new country for a better life. Viewers will catch never-before-seen photos of the basketball star, chronicling his path—often inspiring, heartbreaking, and triumphant.

Ultimately, his dedication landed him in his adopted home of Milwaukee, where he emerged as “The Greek Freak.” There, he became a superstar who transcended conventional limits, transforming the game with his athleticism and versatility. Moreover, Antetokounmpo accomplishes this while striving to use the memory of the loss he endured to spearhead an impact far beyond the court. 

Further, Giannis: The Marvelous Journey features interviews with the sports star and his entire family. This includes his mother, Veronica Antetokounmpo; his brothers Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex Antetokounmpo; and his fiancée Mariah Riddlesprigger; as well as basketball luminaries Jason Kidd, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Kenny Smith, Vin Baker, Ernie Johnson, and more. It marks the family’s first time given first-person accounts on their collective journey.  

The documentary is set to be released on February 19. Will you be tuning into Giannis: The Marvelous Journey?

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Giannis Antetokounmpo & LeBron James Top 3 Million All-Star Votes

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James were the only players to surpass three million votes during the second update on All-Star voting. Giannis remains the overall top vote-getter with over 3.4 million. Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum, who will likely join Giannis as Eastern Conference starters, both came within 100,000 voters of 3 million. In the West, the next highest voting tally after Lebron belonged to Nikola Jokic with close to 2.8 million.

Very little changed between the first and second vote reveals. However, Trae Young did move ahead of Damian Lillard to take control of the second backcourt starting spot in the East. At the time of writing, he would start alongside Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. The next voting update will occur on January 20, with All-Star starters named on January 25.

Read More: Steph Curry Pushes Warriors To Make Moves At Trade Deadline

Giannis Antetokounmpo Calls Victor Wembanyama “Special”

Meanwhile, amid the All-Star voting, Giannis gave high praise for French rookie Victor Wembanyama following their first matchup against one another. “He’s special. He’s going to be an extremely good player. He plays the right way. He plays to win. I’ve never seen anything like him,” Giannis said after the Bucks’ 125-121 win. After Wembanyama blocked Giannis at the rim in the final minute of the game, the French star was able to set up a potential game-tying three. However, Tre Jones’ shot from the corner fell short. Wembanyama finished the game with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

As for Wembanyama himself, the praise from Giannis held extra weight as the Greek star was one of the players he watched the most growing up. “It’s always extra motivation, and I know I’m a competitor. So I want to go at everyone and be the bad guy on the court. So it was a great matchup. I’m trying to gain knowledge from as many great players as there are. Giannis is one of the players I’ve watched the most. The way he uses his body, he makes 100% of what he can do with his body. That’s something I look up to and I still look up to. It’s a player I know pretty well,” Wembanyama said.

Read More: Giannis Antetokounmpo Says He Can’t Stop Thinking About Losing To The Pacers, Even During Sex

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Giannis Antetokounmpo He Can’t Stop Thinking About Losing To The Pacers, Even During Sex

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Giannis Antetokounmpo made some hilarious comments after he was asked how he felt about 40% of the Bucks’ losses this season coming against the Pacers. “You think about it. When you go home and sleep and wake up, you think about it. When you go back and work out, you think about it….When you’re about to get freaky at night, you think about it,” Giannis said. Giannis and longtime partner Mariah Riddlespringer, who have three children together, revealed they were engaged in September 2023.

The Pacers have beaten the Bucks four times this season, including in back-to-back games on January 1 and January 3. However, the Bucks, whose one win against Indiana devolved into a post-game brawl, will not have any chance for revenge until the playoffs. There are no more scheduled games between the two teams for the rest of the season. Furthermore, at the time of writing, the Bucks are the second seed while the Pacers are the fifth seed.

Read More: Giannis Antetokounmpo Calls Victor Wembanyama “Special” After First Matchup

Giannis Leads Early All-Star Voting

Meanwhile, Giannis was the overall top vote-getter in early returns for All-Star Voting. LeBron James and Giannis have both surpassed two million votes in the first round of public all-star voting. Meanwhile – Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton all broke the one million vote mark. Next month’s game, which will be held in Indianapolis, will also return to the old East v West matchup format. The return to the traditional method of team selection replaces the recently used Captain’s Draft method. Giannis and LeBron were both captains last year, with Giannis’ team winning a high-scoring game in Salt Lake City.

Additionally, if selected, LeBron will become the NBA’s all-time All-Star leader with 20 selections. He is currently tied for 19 selections with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. James Harden, who started the season benched by the Sixers, is currently in fourth place in Western Conference backcourt voting. Voting runs through January 20, with the next voting update released on January 11. Who do you want to make the All-Star Game? Let us know in the comments.

Read More: LeBron James Gives Every Lakers Teammate Personalized Greeting In Pre-Game Ritual

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Calls Victor Wembanyama “Special” After First Matchup

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Giannis Antetokounmpo had high praise for Victor Wembanyama following his first game against the rookie French phenom. “He’s special. He’s going to be an extremely good player. He plays the right way. He plays to win. I’ve never seen anything like him,” Giannis said after the Bucks’ 125-121 win. After Wembanyama blocked Giannis at the rim in the final minute of the game, the French star was able to set up a potential game-tying three. However, Tre Jones’ shot from the corner fell short. Wembanyama finished the game with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

As for Wembanyama himself, the praise from Giannis held extra weight as the Greek star was one of the players he watched the most growing up. “It’s always extra motivation, and I know I’m a competitor. So I want to go at everyone and be the bad guy on the court. So it was a great matchup. I’m trying to gain knowledge from as many great players as there are. Giannis is one of the players I’ve watched the most. The way he uses his body, he makes 100% of what he can do with his body. That’s something I look up to and I still look up to. It’s a player I know pretty well,” Wembanyama said.

Read More: Victor Wembanyama Reveals His Favorite Off-Court Hobby

Victor Wembanyama Remains Hopeful Despite 5-29 Record

The loss dropped the Spurs to a 5-29 record, second-worst in the league behind the 3-31 Pistons. However, the close loss to Milwaukee gives Wembanyama hope for the future. “It’s promising. That’s the first thing [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] told us coming back in the locker room. We had some moments in the game where everything seemed to work. And I could feel the crowd believing in us and getting going. Some of this was satisfying tonight,” Wembanyama said.

The rookie has been going from strength to strength. Just before New Year’s, he had the first 30/5/5/5 game by a teenager in the NBA in a monster night against Portland. The French superstar rookie finished the night with 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 7 blocks as San Antonio snapped a five-game skid. Furthermore, Wembanyama’s star night game against fellow high-flying prospect, Scoot Henderson. “It’s always important to me to play against great players, especially players my age,” Wembanyama said after the game. “His length alone is just weird, it’s like he hovers over you. You can’t really feel him or bump him off because of his length,” Henderson said of playing against Wembanyama.

Read More: Jersey From Victor Wembanyama’s NBA Debut Sells For Over $700K At Auction

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LeBron James & Giannis Antetokounmpo Lead Early All-Star Voting

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LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo have both surpassed two million votes in the first round of public all-star voting. Meanwhile – Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton all broke the one million vote mark. Next month’s game, which will be held in Indianapolis, will also return to the old East v West matchup format. The return to the traditional method of team selection replaces the recently used Captain’s Draft method. Giannis and LeBron were both captains last year, with Giannis’ team winning a high-scoring game in Salt Lake City.

If selected, LeBron will become the NBA’s all-time All-Star leader with 20 selections. He is currently tied for 19 selections with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. James Harden, who started the season benched by the Sixers, is currently in fourth place in Western Conference backcourt voting. Voting runs through January 20, with the next voting update released on January 11. Who do you want to make the All-Star Game? Let us know in the comments.

Read More: LeBron James Gives Every Lakers Teammate Personalized Greeting In Pre-Game Ritual

LeBron James Stars In New Louis Vuitton Campaign

Meanwhile off the court, LeBron James is the face of a new Louis Vuitton campaign. The Lakers star appeared in a range of sharp Louis Vuitton outfits in a cityscape setting. “LeBron James lends himself to Pharrell Williams’ debut collection, embodying the audacious energy and trailblazing vision of the Maison’s next menswear chapter,” the fashion house said. Of course, these fits aren’t for everyone, especially considering that the total outfit cost is nearly $14,000.

However, modeling for Pharrell isn’t the only venture that LeBron has been up to. He has also suggested that he wants to start livestreaming his Madden games when he plays against other people. “Thinking of live streaming my @EAMaddenNFL games when I play. 🤔. Who should I stream with? Meaning which platform brand 👑,” LeBron tweeted. Of course, the Lakers star was bombarded with suggestions ranging from Twitch to Rumble to Kick to OnlyFans. Overall, people are very excited to see it happen.

Read More: Lakers & Darvin Ham Suffering A “Disconnect” Due To Coach’s Lineup Decisions

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Feuds With Pacers After They Take Game Ball From His Record-Breaking Night

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Tensions flared between Giannis Antetokounmpo and members of the Indiana Pacers after the Pacers seemingly took the game ball from Giannis’ record-breaking night. A scuffle ensued in the corridor outside the visitors’ locker room as Giannis confronted Tyrese Haliburton amongst others. This led to two versions of events. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said the team took the ball to mark Oscar Tshiebwe’s first career points. Meanwhile, Giannis said he went looking for the ball to mark Damian Lillard moving into fifth place on the career three-pointers list. However, both Giannis and Carlisle agreed that the confrontation was “unfortunate”.

The backstage confrontation soured a historic night in Milwaukee. Giannis scored 64 points, setting a new franchise record and career high for the Greek star. The previous Bucks benchmark was 57, set by Michael Redd in 2006. Meanwhile, Giannis’ previous career high was 55 earlier this year. “He’s an unstoppable player. You can’t guard him one-on-one. You’ve got some really good guys surrounding him, but at the end of the day, it’s all him. His talent. His ability. His will. He has an incredible will to win, and he’ll do whatever it takes to win,” first-year Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said.

Read More: Giannis Antetokounmpo Sits With Fans Following Ejection

Draymond Green Suspended

However, tension wasn’t only felt in Milwaukee. Draymond Green has been “suspended indefinitely” by the NBA after being ejected against the Suns earlier this week. Per the NBA’s statement on the decision, the suspension “takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.” Furthermore, “He will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play,” the league added. Green received his 18th career ejection, and third of the season, for striking the Suns’ Jusuf Nurkić in the face with a spinning backhand early in the third quarter of Tuesday’s game.

While Green did apologize for the incident, the NBA has chosen to come down hard on the veteran. The Warriors will meet with Green and his agent, Rich Paul, to devise a rehabilitative program to help Green return to the court. Furthermore, a source told ESPN that the Warriors had “lost their leverage for disciplining” Green after not adequately punishing him after he punched Jordan Poole last season. However, sources also told the outlet that Green is open to getting “whatever help he needs” to “overcome the challenges he is facing.”

Read More: Draymond Green Believes The NBA Needs To Go Easy On Him

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Five Best Giannis Antetokounmpo Shoes

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Step into the realm of basketball sneakers with the exceptional Giannis Antetokounmpo’s signature line. This article embarks on a journey through the top five shoes from the remarkable collection of the NBA superstar. From debut releases to the latest iterations, each shoe embodies Giannis’s unique style and prowess on the court. Join us in exploring the innovative design, performance features, and standout aesthetics that define the legacy of Giannis in the world of basketball footwear.

Nike Zoom Freak 3 “Black Red”

Nike Zoom Freak 3 "Black Red"
Image via Stadium Goods
BUY HERE (as low as $80)

The Nike Zoom Freak 3 “Black Red” mixes black and red colors. These shoes are part of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s line and are good for basketball games. They’re comfy and look sleek on the court. With the black and red, they stand out and show style. You can grab a pair at Stadium Goods today, perfect for those who want a cool look and comfy shoes for playing.

Nike Giannis Immortality “Force Field”

Nike Giannis Immortality "Force Field"
Image via Stadium Goods
BUY HERE (as low as $85)

The Nike Giannis Immortality “Force Field” has a mostly white upper with some light shades as accents. These shoes are part of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s collection and are good for basketball. They feel comfy and have a cool look on the court. With the light colors, they keep it simple yet stylish. You can buy a pair now at Stadium Goods, perfect for those wanting a fresh look and comfy shoes for the game.

Nike Zoom Freak 3 “Clear Emerald”

Nike Zoom Freak 3 "Clear Emerald"
Image via Stadium Goods
BUY HERE (as low as $85)

The Nike Zoom Freak 3 “Clear Emerald” comes in green colors. These shoes are part of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s line and are great for basketball. They’re comfy and look cool on the court. With the green colors, they stand out and show style. If you like green sneakers that feel nice while playing, these are a top pick for both looks and game-time comfort.

Nike Zoom Freak 4 TB “Black White”

Nike Zoom Freak 4 TB "Black White"
Image via Stadium Goods
BUY HERE (as low as $90)

The Nike Zoom Freak 4 TB “Black White” sticks to basic colors, black and white. These shoes are in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s collection and are great for basketball. They feel comfy and have a simple but stylish look on the court. With the classic black and white, they stay simple yet stand out. These shoes are straightforward, feel good while playing, and are a solid choice for both style and comfort.

Nike Zoom Freak 3 Team “Bright Crimson”

Nike Zoom Freak 3 Team "Bright Crimson"
Image via Stadium Goods
BUY HERE (as low as $105)

The Nike Zoom Freak 3 Team “Bright Crimson” has bright red colors. These shoes are in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s line and work well for basketball. They’re comfy and look striking on the court. With the bright red, they stand out and show some flair. If you like bold colors in your sneakers that feel good while playing, these are a top choice for both style and game comfort. The best part is you can grab a pair of these today!

Let us know which of these sneakers is your favorite, in the comments section below.

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Bucks Coach Downplays Heated Exchange With Giannis Antetokounmpo

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Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin has downplayed any notion of friction between him and Giannis Antetokounmpo after the two had a heated sideline exchange. “He wanted to stay in, I wanted to give him a breather. That’s all it was. And then I told him to stay at the table for one possession, and he got right back out there,” Griffin said after the game. Meanwhile, Giannis simply said “no” when asked to give an explanation of the exchange.

Giannis had a 21-point double-double in the three-point loss to Boston. While the Celtics led whistle to whistle, they allowed the Bucks to rally from a nearly 20-point deficit to lose by three. It’s been a common theme for the 12-3 Celtics – taking their foot off the gas just a few minutes too early and risking snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. With the loss, the Bucks fell to 10-5 on the season. However, they still comfortably lead their division.

Read More: Chris Paul Ejection Deepens Beef With Veteran Ref

Holiday Rematches The Bucks

Furthermore, Wednesday’s game marked Jrue Holiday’s first game against his old team. While he did not speak with reporters after the win, Holiday did speak on his offseason trade during warmups. “A warning would’ve been cool. But other than that, I’m in the best place that I can be to compete against them, which is for the top team in the East and, hopefully, the top team in the league,” Holiday said of the surprise trade. However, he clarified that he didn’t hold any sort of grudge towards his former team. “I think that they got what they wanted, so I can’t be mad at that,” he added.

However, Holiday was fairly quiet in the game, dropping just 5 points and 8 rebounds. It marks his lowest points output of the season and the second time in three games he has failed to hit double digits in any statistical category. Up next for the Bucks is a game against the Wizards on Friday. Meanwhile, Boston face the Magic on the same day.

Read More: Josh Giddey Accused Of Having Sexual Relationship With A Minor

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Sits With Fans Following Ejection

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Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo did not return to the Bucks bench or locker room after being ejected against the Pistons. Instead, Giannis briefly sat amongst fans in the courtside seats while gesturing at the refs to continue the game. Eventually, Giannis was compelled to leave for the locker room after the refs threatened more reprimands against him.

Giannis’ protest was a result of his ejection being fairly controversial. Giannis picked up his second technical after staring down the Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart after throwing down a dunk over him. The refs didn’t like this and whistled Giannis for his second tech of the game. A disbelieving Giannis tried to reason with the refs but the whistle had already been blown and the officiating team wanted Giannis out of the game. Giannis had 15 points and 9 rebounds at the time of his ejection. Furthermore, the Bucks held on for a 120-118 win.

Read More: Rockets Blow Out Lakers After LeBron James And Dillon Brooks Speak On Beef

How Is The Giannis-Dame Experiment Going?

The win over the Pistons puts the Bucks at 5-2 on the season and riding a three-game win streak. As for how the team is adjusting to the superstar tandem of Giannis and Damian Lillard, things couldn’t be going better. Just 0.1 ppg separates the two players’ scoring output, meaning that combined they average 48.7 points per game. Meanwhile, they have settled into their separate niches. Giannis is the rebounding, leading the team with nine boards a game. Meanwhile, Lillard is the playmaker, leading the team with 4.7 assists per game.

However, the Bucks are now very dependent on their tandem. Losing Jrue Holiday cost the Bucks a lot of defense, which can be seen in how their biggest margin of victory this season so far is just eight points. Meanwhile, when they lose – they lose hard. Their two losses this season have been 17- and 19-point blowouts to the Knicks and Raptors. Furthermore, their win over the Pistons came despite a major Pistons comeback attempt after Giannis was knocked out of the game. It remains to be seen if the powerhouse can continue powering for the entirety of the season.

Read More: Terry Stotts, Damian Lillard’s Former Head Coach, Resigns As Bucks Assistant

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