Giannis Antetokounmpo speaks on leading Bucks through frustration of losing
Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke on how to lead Bucks through tough stretch after another loss in New York: ‘You gotta be honest with them.’
The Greek men’s national basketball team defeated Lithuania 87-76 to advance to the EuroBasket semifinals.Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece with 29 points and six rebounds.Greece is set to face Turkey in the upcoming semifinal match.
Greece, propelled by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, is in the EuroBasket semifinals.
The Greek men’s national basketball team defeated Lithuania 87-76 on Sept. 9 in Riga, Latvia, in the quarterfinals.
Antetokounmpo was tested by Lithuania’s defense but finished with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting, and six rebounds.
Greece will face Turkey next.
Antetokounmpo has scored 25 points or more in 11 straight EuroBasket games.
His brother Kostas Antetokounmpo made significant defensive contributions.
First-half highlights
Giannis led all scorers at the half with 15 points but it was a competitive and physical battle.
Lithuania took an early lead, buoyed by a deafening pro-Lithuanian crowd. Greece responded with balanced scoring and a strong defensive presence by Kostas, who had four blocks.
Lithuania was battle-ready, though, and cut Greece’s lead to 39-38 on the scoring of veteran Jonas Valančiūnas.
Giannis scored in the mid-range but was most effective driving to the rim.
Lithuania wanted to be aggressive and was whistled for a wrap-around foul on Giannis mid-court, as well as a front-facing block out on Kostas that knocked him to the ground on a rebound. Greece used those opportunities to take a 44-38 lead at halftime.
Third-quarter highlights
Giannis drew his third foul on an offensive charge immediately so he switched it up for a mid-range jumper from the point guard position to give Greece the 46-41 lead. Kostas hit another shot for the 50-41 lead.
Giannis struggled at the free throw line in the first quarter and the third, shooting just 4 of 9.
The battle between Giannis and Valančiūnas got heated when the Lithuanian big man was whistled for a foul − rather than credited for a block − on one Giannis drive. He came back at Giannis later for a second foul, this time to Giannis’ head, and Kostas appeared to say something to Valančiūnas.
Giannis ended the quarter by sinking two free throws to give Greece the 64-52 lead.
Fourth-quarter highlights
Giannis’ dribble and drive to the hoop, and the free throw, with 3:18 remaining put Greece ahead 76-60. But Lithuania kept fighting until the end and Greece needed a key defensive rebound by Giannis late to seal the victory. He also finished the game converting all of his free throws.
Kostas fouled out and finished with four points, three rebounds and two assists.