Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs continued their red-hot, record start to the season as the French phenom continues his superstar ascension.
And without Giannis Antetokounmpo, an unlikely hero lifted the Milwaukee Bucks past the Golden State Warriors on Friday (all times AEDT).
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WEMBY LEADS SPURS TO RECORD 5-0 START AS MVP ODDS SURGE
Victor Webmanyama had another massive double-double and the San Antonio Spurs improved to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history after a 107-101 home win over the Miami Heat.
Wembanyama racked up 27 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and five blocks to continue his dominant start to the season.
The Spurs’ superstar has crashed the top of the NBA MVP race barely a week into the season after a sensational start.
Heading into Friday’s play, Wembanyama was the co-favourite with reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win the award (+275) at Caesars Sportsbook.
The surge comes after a historic start for Wembanyama that has NBA fans fantasising about the French star’s future.
Ahead of Friday’s game, Wembanyama was averaging 31 points with 13.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
ictor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates after scoring against the Miami Heat (Photo by Ronald Cortes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
His defence has been ridiculous, averaging 1.5 steals and a league-leading 4.8 blocks while anchoring a San Antonio defence that has been among the best in the NBA.
Wembanyama’s shooting has improved as well, averaging a career-best 60.3 per cent from the field and 36.4 per cent from deep.
If he can pull off the award win, Wembanyama would be the youngest MVP in league history, surpassing Derrick Rose, who won it in 2010-11.
Unsurprisingly, bettors have been all over it, flocking to Wembanyama for MVP.
At BetMGM Sportsbook, Wembanyama has received 21.2 per cent of tickets and 25.4 per cent of the handle to win the award, making him the company’s biggest liability for the NBA MVP.
Since opening at +1800, Wembanyama has leapfrogged Anthony Edwards, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Nikola Jokic on the MVP odds board at BetMGM.
Though Bam Adebayo took it right to the 7-foot-4 French phenom on one play during Friday’s contest, dunking over Wembanyama late in the second term in a highlight moment.
Adebayo led all scorers with 31 points to go with 10 rebounds. But it wasn’t enough as Miami, missing Norman Powell and Tyler Herro, fell to 3-2.
OKC (6-0), San Antonio (5-0), Chicago (4-0) and Philadelphia (4-0) are the last remaining undefeated teams.
-Parts of this story were published in the New York Post and reproduced with permission.
UNLIKELY HERO SHINES AS BUCKS STUN WARRIORS WITHOUT GIANNIS
No Giannis Antetokounmpo? No worries.
The Bucks didn’t need their superstar at home on Friday as Ryan Rollins’ career-best 32-point outburst led Milwaukee past Golden State 120-110.
Pretty amazing for a player that went into the season as a backup point guard and is now thriving as a starter following an ankle injury to Kevin Porter Jr.
Rollins, the No. 44 pick in the 2022 draft who’s previously played for Golden State and Washington, hit the 30-point mark for the first time in his career to outduel Steph Curry.
Reaves sinks buzzer beater! | 01:49
The Milwaukee guard shot 13-of-21 from the field with five 3-pointers and eight assists to lead all five Bucks starters in double figures as Doc Rivers’ side improved to 4-1.
The full-strength Warriors dropped to 4-2, shooting just 42 per cent from the field and 34 per cent from beyond the arc.
It came despite strong outings from Curry (27 points, six rebounds), Jimmy Butler (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Jonathan Kuminga (24 points, eight rebounds).
ALL RESULTS
Orlando 123 Hornets 107
Warriors 110 Bucks 120
Wizards 108 Thunder 127
Heat 101 Spurs 107
