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Jamal CollierESPN
BOSTON Milwaukee BucksStar Giannis AntetokounmpoHad failed to pass the first two times. Boston CelticsForward Grant WilliamsAntetokounmpo was given a possession at the end of the fourth quarter on Sunday.
He faked a shot to his right and then turned his body to the right. He then gathered his feet to throw it off the backboard to him and hit a two-handed dunk. He slammed home a two-handed dunk and his alley-oop to himself made the Boston crowd roar. 101-89 victorySunday's Eastern Conference semifinal series opening.
Antetokounmpo stated after the game, “I had the ball, and I was like, Oh crap, I'm going get stuck.” “I threw the ball to the backboard, and God blessed me with the ability jump and get it again.
Antetokounmpo's dunk was an example of how Game 1 unfolded.
Antetokounmpo was held to 9-of-25 shooting and five turnovers by the Celtics throughout the game. But, Boston couldn't contain him. Antetokounmpo had his second career playoff triple double, scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Although it was his third worst shooting performance in playoff history, Antetokounmpo managed to be the franchise's first player with multiple triple-doubles in playoff history.
Antetokounmpo stated that the Celtics were “showing help, being physically” in their defense. “Bringing the help. Being active. They were great.”
Antetokounmpo was a key player in the Bucks offense, despite poor shooting. Through his open shots, Antetokounmpo accounted for 55 percent of Milwaukee's points. The Bucks shot 12-of-18 (7-of-12 from 3) off of his passes, and 14 of those looks were uncontested, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Milwaukee has lost the fore Khris MiddletonProtective measures Jrue HolidayAntetokounmpo was in foul trouble early on and played almost the entire first quarter. He came out of foul trouble for a long stretch in the third quarter, but he returned to the game for a longer period. Antetokounmpo was 23 points ahead of the Bucks, and they were minus-11 after he was gone.
Antetokounmpo’s performance inspired Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer to say, “The patience, continue working, keep going, keep reading defense,” “The spacing around him must be great, and we have to give him outlets. He continues to read the game. It can be scoring or sharing the game. He knows he has to do both.
Antetokounmpo is a regular performer, but the team was stunned by his fourth quarter alley-oop.
Holiday shrugged and said “It's elite.” Holiday said, shaking his head. It's not something I would even consider trying.
Forward Added Bucks Bobby Portis: “Not enough words to be true”
The Celtics were hailed as the league's best defense and won the first round of the playoffs by being smothered. Kevin Durant, Kyrie IrvingThe Brooklyn Nets. After finishing the regular season, No. The Bucks are now ranked 14th in the NBA for defensive efficiency. They have also increased their defensive intensity. They have the highest defensive rating in the postseason.
Milwaukee held the Celtics at 33.3% shooting overall, keeping them out of the basket. Boston had to resort to contested jumpers to win the game. Antetokounmpo's call saw the Celtics only go 3-for-20. Brook Lopez contested their shot, and Holiday held Boston to just 4-for-13 when he was the primary defender, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
“We're trying to play hard defensively. Antetokounmpo explained that it was something we realized to keep us in the game. “Offensively, clearly one of our top scorers (Middleton), isn't out there. So we know we have to guard, and offensively, we're going figure it out.”
“If we don't protect, at the end of it all, we have no chance of winning the game. After Game 2, I believe that's what I will say. [against the Bulls in the first round]It was like we had to guard ourselves. That pride was ours to defend.”
Game 2 will be played in Boston on Tuesday night.
