By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2021 NBA Finals MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo earned the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for the fifth week of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season. Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard captured the respective title in the Western Conference.
Antetokounmpo, 26, led the defending champions, Milwaukee Bucks, to three wins in as many games from November 15 through November 21. The Greek Freak registered 33.3 points, 16.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.7 blocks, and 1.7 steals per contest. He had 47 points with 18/23 from the field in the home win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday and went on with a couple of monster double-doubles opposite the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic. The three wins elevated the Bucks to 9-8 and into a five-way tie for sixth place in the East.
Lillard, 31, also landed on the winning side on three different occasions this week. His showings generated 28.3 points, 8.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game. The highlight emerged with 39 points powered by 10/21 field goals in the home win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. The three-game winning streak improved Portland to 9-8, matched with the Denver Nuggets for sixth place in the West.
The previous Eastern Conference weekly awards were handed to Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat), and Miles Bridges (Charlotte Hornets). In the Western Conference, Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) stood out twice, with Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers) and French big man Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz) granted the remaining weekly distinctions.
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