Adrian Griffin says he’s got to stick up for Giannis Antetokounmpo a little bit better

Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said he’s got to stand up for his players more.

© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s night ended earlier than expected after he was ejected from the game against the Detroit Pistons for incurring a second technical foul earlier in the third quarter. The “Greek Freak” slammed the ball home in Isaiah Stewart’s grill and then stared him down for a second.

Referee Scott Twardoski then issued him a technical foul for “taunting." Unfortunately for Giannis, it was his second of the game after getting called for one in the second quarter for excessively complaining about a call. He finished the game with 15 points and nine rebounds.

After the game, Milwaukee Bucks coach Adrian Griffin took responsibility, saying he must do a better job of protecting his players.

Stick up for Giannis

In his postgame press conference, Griffin said he was surprised by the quick whistle on Giannis but added that he should stick up for his players better regarding the officiating.

“I think I need to be a little more vocal during the game when he is getting hit and stick up for him a little bit better,” Griffin said.

“It’s an emotional game, he made a phenomenal play, and I thought he moved on fairly quickly. I was surprised by the second technical but that’s up to the league to decide,” Griffin added.

The ejection was the fifth of Giannis’ career.

Teammates stepped up

Sensing blood in the water, the Pistons took advantage of Giannis’ absence and turned an 80-73 deficit in the third into a 109-99 lead in the fourth quarter. However, the Bucks stayed together and followed the lead of veterans Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez to pull off the victory.

“It was an opportunity to show the character of our team,” said Lillard after the game.

“The truly-together teams are able to weather those types of storms and win games when you’re up against it and we was able to get one tonight,” Lillard, who scored 18 of his 34 points in the penultimate quarter, added.

Damian Lillard scored 18 points in the fourth quarter in the win over the Pistons.

Highlights from the 120-118 win: ⤵#FearTheDeer | #NBA pic.twitter.com/quSp3mogjf

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Giannis has a 3-word message after Milwaukee's dramatic win versus Detroit