(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The new-look Milwaukee Bucks are looking to get back to the NBA Finals and they had a statement win yesterday when they beat the Miami Heat, 122-114.
The Heat are the reigning Eastern Conference champions and the Bucks firmly reminded the league that they should be considered the real threat come playoff time.
Antetokounmpo looked like a man on a mission as he led all scorers with 33 points to go along with seven rebounds and two assists.
The Greek Freak has been emphatic about wanting to win a second NBA championship and playing against Miami must have carried more weight for him considering their first-round exit to them last postseason.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the matchup, Jimmy Butler had a lackluster performance as he mustered just 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting from the field.
Butler had to deal with Antetokounmpo guarding him and the latter seemed to throw some shade toward former Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, per The Athletic via NBACentral.
“I had the challenge to guard Jimmy after three years… I’m happy that coach is allowing me to take that challenge,” Antetokounmpo said.
“I had the challenge to guard Jimmy after three years… I’m happy that coach is allowing me to take that challenge.”
– Giannis Antetokounmpo
(Via @TheAthleticNBA ) pic.twitter.com/zUlouKRHw3
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 31, 2023
During the 2021 postseason, Antetokounmpo expressed a desire to guard Kevin Durant but Budenholzer seemed to want to try other methods to contain the scoring savant.
However, current Milwaukee head coach Adrian Griffin has been more than willing to allow his superstar to guard the opposing team’s best player which has helped stymie teams late in the fourth quarter.
Antetokounmpo is one of the best defenders in the league and it seems like he’s finally getting an opportunity to dominate that side of the floor when it matters most.
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