By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are certainly determined to continue pushing forward after tying the best-of-seven series versus the Phoenix Suns at 2-2 on Wednesday.
“It felt good, but we cannot be satisfied,” said the Greek Freak following Game 4, “We’ve got to keep enjoying the game. Keep playing good basketball.”
A key block down the stretch kept the Bucks in the lead. He also discussed that stop against Deandre Ayton in the postgame presser.
“I thought I was going to get dunked on, to be honest with you. But you know, going down the stretch, just do whatever it takes to win the game. Just put yourself in a position that can win the game,” he replied, “I saw the play coming. I saw that Chris was going to throw the lob and I was just going to jump vertically toward the rim. Hopefully, I can be there in time, and I was there in time and was able to get a good block and go down and get two points. So it was a great hustle play.”
He ended up with 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks. Khris Middleton poured 40 points, including ten straight in crunch time.
“It felt good doing that with him down the stretch,” mentioned Antetokounmpo regarding the combined effort resulting in the W, “I’m very proud. But as I said, it comes down to trust. I trust him. You know, win or lose, I’m okay with it. Usually, when you’re going down the stretch in a game like this, whatever game you play, you want to take it upon yourself. Win or lose, you’re like, okay, I took a shot, I lost the game, I won the game.”
The series is returning to Phoenix for Game 5 on Saturday. Chris Paul will be looking to cut down on turnovers after committing five of his side’s 17 in Game 4.
“It was bad decision making,” he explained, “That time we were down two and I tried to cross over right there, slipped, turned it over. I had some bad passes in the first half. They got a significant amount more shots than us, so for me, I got to take care of the ball.”
“I think it’s just making him uncomfortable. Always keeping bodies behind him, two and three people and not really just getting a clear view of what he wants to do,” said Jrue Holiday on forcing Paul to a lot of turnovers, “It’s not me by myself. It’s definitely a team effort.”
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