"There was more urgency" - Giannis Antetokounmpo talks about the Milwaukee Bucks’ effort in a 33-point win versus the Boston Celtics
After a string of lackluster performances, the Milwaukee Bucks showed better effort on both ends of the floor and snapped a two-game slide by blowing out the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, 135-132.
Giannis Antetokounmpo said the Bucks played with a sense of urgency after losing four of their first five games of the month.
Giannis lauds the team’s effort
The Bucks came into the match as losers of two straight games, falling to the Houston Rockets, 108-112, and to the Utah Jazz, 116-132.
“There was more urgency coming into the game. Losing four out of five games, being down 30 in the first half against Utah. We watched the film. We had to be better, we had to play better. Yesterday, we had a great practice, talked about the things that we can do better. As I said, guys were more urgent today,” said Giannis, who finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block.
Bobby Portis Jr. finished with a game-high 28 points, 12 rebounds, and one steal. Damian Lillard returned from a one-game absence and scored 21 points. Antetokounmpo said he and Dame tried to be more assertive right from the opening tip.
More importantly, Giannis said the Bucks defended well and protected the three-point line effectively.
“From the start of the game, Dame was very very assertive, I was trying to go downhill. Defensively, we were helping one another; we were passing in lanes, deflecting the ball,” said Giannis.
The Bucks also pressed on the attack from the start, knowing they were up against a team that was on a back-to-back and coming from an overtime win.
“Obviously, we knew that they played the night before, an overtime game, I think, against Minnesota. So we knew we had to come out with energy, and we did,” Giannis said.
Two-day break benefits the Bucks
'The Greek Freak' said they needed the two-day break physically and mentally. He said they were able to figure some things out after playing terribly in their last two outings.
“The way we played in the last couple of games helped. I also believe that we had two days to kind of take care of our body and work on ourselves. That helped also,” Giannis said.
Milwaukee improved to 26-12 in the season. They will play two more home games before embarking on a three-game road trip. Giannis is hoping that the Bucks will be able to sustain their superb showing against the Celtics.
“I think the team has to be more urgent. We have to be more urgent. We don’t have to play a good team to respect the other team. We have to do this every single night as much as we can,” Antetokounmpo said.