Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Photos
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been right here earlier than. Quiet alive within the postseason thru two rounds and shut sufficient to the NBA Finals it no longer feels foolish to dream about them.
He’s trying now no longer to verify that far forward, anyway. In actuality, he needed to reel in his feelings following a 115-111 Game 7 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on the avenue. It’s the necessary time the Bucks come by reached the convention finals since 2019, after they misplaced the series 4-2 to the Toronto Raptors. The Greek Freak is now no longer taking the return to this stage evenly.
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo: “It’s a substantial feeling. I are attempting now no longer to accumulate too high or too low, but I nearly obtained emotional a runt bit available within the market. The team truly tried their easiest. We kept our composure. … Nonetheless the job is now no longer done. We’re halfway.”
Antetokounmpo poured in 40 points on 24 pictures with 13 rebounds and 5 assists over 50 minutes within the come by.
But Antetokounmpo needed to give himself a runt room to revel within the moment. Especially after Durant sent a Game 7 file for the most points scored with 48. That incorporated an yarn buzzer-beater with a 2d left to ship the game to time previous regulation tied at 109.
By that point each teams come by been thoroughly and clearly gassed. Handiest eight points total come by been scored in time previous regulation and the Bucks accounted for six of them.
Per chance that made it more straightforward for Milwaukee to cease even-keeled after the come by. After seven abet-and-forth games stuffed with injuries, drama and yarn performances, the Bucks had survived. Their reward is one other easiest-of-seven series in opposition to the winner of Sunday’s Game 7 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks.
“The job is now no longer done,” Antetokounmpo kept repeating. “The job is now no longer done.”
It’s miles halfway total, even though, and that technique something in Milwaukee.
After going 18 years between appearances within the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bucks are abet for the 2d time in three years. They accumulate now no longer intend for that bustle to cease anytime soon, nor are they ready for this series to be their closing of the 2021 playoffs.
Right here’s handiest the midpoint, and while every come by is rate celebrating this time of one year, these moments can not overshadow the upper job.
The job is mild now no longer done for Milwaukee. Not even shut.
