Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo still confident despite 0-2 finals deficit

After putting up a gutsy performance in the Milwaukee Bucks’ Game 2 loss to the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals, two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo believes the Bucks know what it takes to climb back from a familiar 0-2 hole this postseason.

“I think no matter what we say, we know what the deal is, it’s as simple as that,” said Antetokounmpo, who put up a huge double-double of 42 points and 12 rebounds in the Bucks’ 118-108 loss on Thursday, July 8 (Friday, July 9, Manila time).

“We’ve been here before and we were able to get the job done,” he continued.

Antetokounmpo, who is coming off a hyperextended knee injury, was referring to the Bucks’ Eastern Conference semifinals showdown against powerhouse Brooklyn Nets, where they came back from a 0-2 deficit to win the series in seven games.

In that series, the 26-year-old Antetokounmpo averaged 31.9 points and 12.9 rebounds, and exploded for 40 points in the epic Game 7 overtime victory on the road.

As the Bucks return to Milwaukee for Game 3, Antetokounmpo hopes the Bucks can protect their home floor, where they’ve only lost once in this year’s playoffs. 

“Hopefully, we can put ourselves in position (to win), and we can believe in one another, play together, have fun,” said Antetokounmpo, who tallied 20 points in the third quarter of Game 2 – the most in an NBA Finals quarter since Michael Jordan in 1993.

“We know what the deal is, man. We got to go back home and protect home,” he added.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven Finals series between the Bucks and the Suns is on Sunday, July 11 (Monday, July 12, Manila time.) – Rappler.com