NBA Top Five Performances, April 5: Bobby Portis’ Double-Double Vs Chicago Bulls Helped Milwaukee Bucks Clinch Top Seed

TOP PLAYERS OF THE DAY:

The Milwaukee Bucks had to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton for most of the game. This didn’t faze Bobby Portis, who had 27 points and 13 rebounds in the Bucks’ win over the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night. Portis logged his 38th double-double of the season, ranking ninth in the league in that category. Portis still third in most Sixth Man of the Year odds, but he made his campaign as the best bench player in the league.

“I think it’s vital for me to come off the bench and bring energy every day,” Portis said. “ I think bringing energy to the game is a skill. Some guys can’t get up each and every day, but I do. Winning the Sixth Man of the Year award has been a goal of mine for 4-5 years. Now I think I got a great shot.”

The Bucks secured the #1 overall seed in playoffs & Bobby Portis campaigned for 6th man of the year after dropping 27p & 13r, “say less”! This team has depth! Bucks defeat the Bulls in Milwaukee on ESPN 🏀🎤✨ #nba #bucks pic.twitter.com/J0XauJdviz
— Ros Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) April 6, 2023

OTHERS:

- Immanuel Quickley’s 39 points, nine assists and six rebounds elevated the New York Knicks against the Indiana Pacers. He was one point shy of his career high in scoring, doing so without Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Jalen Brunson.

- Malcolm Brogdon had 29 points off the Boston Celtics’ bench to help them defeat the Toronto Raptors.

- Herbert Jones’ career-high 35-point performance lifted the New Orleans Pelicans above the Memphis Grizzlies. Jones’ career performance helped the Pelicans clinch a play-in spot.

- Norman Powell’s 27 points extended the Los Angeles Clippers’ win streak against the Lakers to 11 games. The Clippers’ win aided them in their goal of avoiding the play-in tournament.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.