Antetokounmpo elevating Bucks
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo marked his arrival on the big stage in his second trip to the NBA postseason, and now he’s looking for more.
Antetokounmpo, 22, will be looking to once again put his stamp on the Bucks’ series against Toronto in their Game 2 showdown, one of three NBA playoffs games tonight that feature lower seeds trying to take 2-0 series leads.
Other games on tap: Boston, the East’s top-seeded team, trying to bounce back from Sunday’s emotional loss to No. 8 seed Chicago, and a Utah team looking to build on its Game 1 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers despite the loss of starting center Rudy Gobert, who suffered a left knee injury in the openig minute of the game.
Milwaukee Coach Jason Kidd said that Antetokounmpo is stepping into his own at the right time.
“He set the tone for everyone offensively and defensively, and just understanding he came out aggressive, he didn’t wait,” Kidd said. “We’re going to need that from him.”
It’s a big step for Antetokounmpo, known as the “Greek Freak,” who was in his second NBA season in the Bucks’ last playoff appearance in 2014-2015. He averaged 12.7 points a game that season.
“He answered whatever call he answered and executed the game plan,” Kidd said. “He didn’t force things, he let the game come to him.”
Some things to know about tonight’s matchups:
KEEP AN EYE ON Guard Malcolm Brogdon will face Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, who struggled with his shooting in Game 1. Brogdon, a rookie, has provided a calming and steady presence at point guard on both ends of the floor.
INJURY UPDATE Serge Ibaka did not practice Monday because of a sprained left ankle suffered when he stepped on Antetokounmpo’s foot in the third quarter Saturday, but Toronto Coach Dwane Casey said Ibaka should be ready to go.
PRESSURE IS ON Khris Middleton. The forward had nine assists against Toronto in Game 1 but was held to 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting in 40 minutes. It was the second time that Middleton had played at least 40 minutes since coming back from a hamstring injury on Feb. 8. He’s one of Milwaukee’s best all-around players, but if Middleton can get going from the outside, that should create more spacing on the floor and room for Antetokounmpo to maneuver to the rim.