Bucks say Giannis Antetokounmpo overlooked in MVP race

MILWAUKEE — As Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped up to the free throw line with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter Sunday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, the sold-out crowd at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum began to serenade him with a familiar tune.

«M-V-P!»

Antetokounmpo was putting the finishing touches on another dominant performance in a 117-104 victory. He scored 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out six assists to outduel Sixers star Joel Embiid and put the stamp on Milwaukee's 56th win of the season, the most in the NBA.

The victory brought the Bucks closer to locking up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference — they lead the Boston Celtics by two games with four remaining — and added more fuel to Antetokounmpo's case for a third Most Valuable Player award.

«We certainly feel like Giannis is the MVP,» Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. «Best player, best record, what he does on both ends of the court, the rebounding, the blocked shots, the defense, guarding on the perimeter. He does everything: play-makes, attacks, gets to the free throw line. We feel like he's in the conversation and he should be the guy.»

Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, is averaging a career-best 31.1 points on 55% shooting to go along with 11.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 62 games this season.

While he expressed gratitude for being considered among the leaders for the award, Antetokounmpo said he was not focused on trying to win MVP, keeping the focus on the Bucks' goals as a team.

«It's a great compliment,» Antetokounmpo said after Sunday's game. «I was happy when I won my first two. I'm happy that the last five years, I'm able to be in the conversation. I'm happy that I'm able to be consistent. I'm happy