BOSTON — The relationship of Giannis AntetokounmpoYour teammate Khris MiddletonNow nine years old, it is well-known for its depth of trust.
But that's another story Jrue HolidayRelationship…
“It's blooming, it's blooming!” Antetokounmpo stated after the Milwaukee BucksA jaw-dropping display in clutch play culminated in the 110-107 win over the opposition in Game 5. Boston Celtics Wednesday night.
“I love you.”
Antetokounmpo had wrapped Holiday in a hug just moments after the last buzzer, leaving the area over his right eye covered in skin glue.
The Bucks traded three picks in the first round for Holiday 2020, a deal for a then-30-year-old guard that was questionable at the time. They eventually signed him to a $135million extension. After he had already delivered another defensive gem, those felt like bargains. The ruby was the diamond in this case.
After a dramatic playback by the Bucks, he showed his nuanced greatness in the play with just eight seconds remaining and the Bucks up one point. Bobby PortisThis deserves its own novella. It is difficult to convey, even if you have seen it multiple times.
Holiday was defending Jaylen BrownHe scored 16 of his 26 points during the third quarter. However, the Celtics were able to attack the easier mark in the fourth quarter. Pat ConnaughtonThat's it. Marcus SmartHe attempted to score the game-winning shot. It worked. Smart was in the process to get a clear look when Holiday broke away from Brown.
Next, all will, instincts, and luck favor the prepared. Holiday stated that he felt Smart wouldn't see Brown if he was not open. Holiday was right. Smart didn't even see the blur in No. 21 was the one who took the shot out of Smart's hands before it could become Celtics lore.
Holiday, instead of trying to swat it and risking knocking out the ball out of bounds to give Boston another chance to win the game, grabbed the ball in midair to attempt to retain possession. He was very close to the baseline as he made his leap and had to dance in order to control the ball and stay within bounds. Smart was unable to retrieve the ball, so he managed to get it from him and make it his own. This is one of your most graceful and elegant thefts.
Smart, who was just named Defensive Player Of The Year, was speechless.
Holiday explained, “It wasn't like I planned anything.” Holiday said, “I just went for it. It was instinctual.”
After Holiday's forced turnover, Connaughton made two free throws to give the Celtics a chance to tie it with 5.9 seconds remaining. Holiday iced Smart once more, and he quickly reached for his pockets as he raced up to the floor in search of a way to score a 3-pointer for the Celtics. He was within seconds of Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were just one win away from this incredible series.
He's a winner. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer stated that Jrue Holiday is a winner. Ask any player or coach in the league and he will tell you that he is a winner.”
This overlooks the fact that Holiday scored eight of his 24 points during the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer with 42 seconds remaining that tied the game and ended a 14 point Bucks comeback. The Bucks are dependent on Holiday's defense and offense, as Middleton is now out of action.
Antetokounmpo was a dominant force in the game scoring 40 points and 11 rebounds. Antetokounmpo was the Bucks' only hope as his basket-attacks kept them alive. His putback was what made the difference after Smart and Brown lost the rebound. It could have been a friendly fire disaster, but it could prove to be one of the most important moments in the entire NBA playoffs.
The Bucks' last season's defining moment was Kevin Durant's basket in the final quarter of Game 7. Brooklyn had to go into overtime because Durant's toe was at the 3-point line. Portis could have had an unexpected offensive rebound this season and was able put it back.
Holiday, despite all of this, was still the hero.
Holiday said, “We are in Boston, we're at 14 in the fourth quarter. People would say that everything is against us.” But we all come together. We live and die by this. Being there for each other, wrapping arms, fighting and honestly, just being there for one another.
