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Milwaukee Bucks: Top 10 moments of 2017-18 regular season

By Ben Sewell

Milwaukee, WI - APRIL 27: A general view of the arena before the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI - APRIL 27: A general view of the arena before the game between the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee, WI – OCTOBER 21: (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI – OCTOBER 21: (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Giannis announces his MVP candidacy against Portland

This will forever be the night Giannis Antetokounmpo announced himself to the NBA world as the league’s newest perennial MVP candidate. Coming on the second night of a back to back, after taking a 19-point loss to Cleveland, the Bucks were desperate to right those wrongs against a talented Portland Trail Blazers team.

What ensued was a tremendous battle, with Portland’€™s star guard combo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum matching the Greek Freak blow for blow the whole night. With 31 seconds remaining, it was anyone’s game with Portland up by one point and with possession. The events that then transpired will live long in the memory of all Bucks fans.

With a career high 42 points already in the contest, Antetokounmpo stole the ball and was immediately fouled and sent to the free throw line to assumedly put Milwaukee up by one. Instead he inexplicably missed both free throws, gifting possession back to Portland, while maintaining a one point deficit. Portland called a timeout as the onlooking Milwaukee crowd were visibly stunned and a shattered Antetokounmpo walked toward the bench resembling a defeated man.

Many would have conceded a most likely defeat in this instance and allowed the rest of the game to run its course. Not Giannis Antetokounmpo, though. He returned from the timeout with a determined persona, like it was his mission to now win this game on his own.

With 12 seconds remaining, Antetokounmpo managed to strip McCollum of the ball, race down court and slam home the go-ahead dunk. The Bradley Center exploded as their star forward righted his wrong and put his team back in the lead. He wasn’€™t done yet, though.

With 11 seconds remaining, Portland had time for one more play. They inbounded the ball and ran a play for big man Jusuf Nurkic. It worked and Nurkic had what appeared to be a good look at a go-ahead dunk. Nurkic rose to slam the ball home, but Antetokounmpo had other ideas on this day. He rose to meet Nurkic and blocked the shot, allowing Milwaukee to regain possession and take the victory.

The Greek Freak finished the night with a career-high 44 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks and a whole lot of newfound respect from the league. An MVP candidate was born.

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