By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Scoring 59 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo set the highest total among all players in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season and the second-highest at the individual level throughout his career. He lifted the Milwaukee Bucks to an overtime win, 127-120, against the Detroit Pistons in Fiserv Forum.
A wild game on Wednesday additionally featured physical play by the Pistons. Following the buildup to the upcoming boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, the Greek Freak used hype quotes to explain his approach to such situations.
“Some guys are manufactured killers and he’s a born killer,” he referred to Tyson describing himself, “I just feel the same way. I have been in that position many times in my life. I have two older brothers to push me on the floor, be tough on me, especially Thanasis.”
Giannis put up 22 out of the 24 Bucks points in the first quarter, including all field goals. Fast forward to overtime, he tallied 11 points with 5/5 field goals, including one triple. He also put ten points apiece in the third and fourth periods.
“I always struggle with this. When to be aggressive and when not to be aggressive,” he said, “Coming to this game, I realized I got to be aggressive. Come right out of the gate, try to be aggressive, try to get my spot, and set the tone for everybody else that they have to guard me tonight. While I was doing that, it was not working. We were down by 15, 18. Coming out in the second half, I have to, within the game, still keep my aggressiveness, but keep on moving the ball. Then the ball was moving, everybody was getting energy. They were defending better. And then we got back into the game. Now, as a leader and guy who is very competitive, do you keep on going with that energy, with that mentality? I realized I had to switch up again in the fourth quarter. I had to be more aggressive.”
With one second left in regulation, Ron Holland II missed two free throws and the opportunity to hand the Pistons a win in Milwaukee.
“When a player goes up to the free-throw line and misses both, you have a chance. You realize at that point, you have to take the game, you will not have another opportunity,” stressed Antetokounmpo.
A huge showing attached to 21/34 field goals, besides 14 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and two steals over 43 minutes.
“I think I am more vocal than in the past years. I have to be,” he referred to Damian Lillard recently being placed on concussion protocol and joining a long list of players on the sidelines, “Guys are looking for somebody to follow.”
“Everybody talks about me but if the guys, my teammates don’t play hard, get stops and early in the fourth quarter knock down shots,” added Giannis, “There is no way we are in this position at the end of the game. They definitely give me the energy to continue what I do for them.”
Resuming action on the next edition of NBA Saturdays, the Bucks face the Charlotte Hornets in Spectrum Center.