Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks lost the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, the first in their three encounters this season.
That was the first but it has huge implication to their playoff seedings. Both teams are at 36-28 and are battling for the fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. A win by the Bucks could have created a separation between them.
Alas, Bucks failed to complete the job. Antetokounmpo himself is at the center of the loss as he was the one who fouled Tyrese Haliburton while shooting a three. The Pacers guard then converted the free throw.
Head coach Doc Rivers convened the coaching staff to see if there was something they can challenge. They did as they thought went out of bounds. However, the challenge went for naught as the officials did not change their ruling.
Antetokounmpo accepted the result but explained that there was something he could have done differently.
“Now that I think about it, maybe I should have taken a step back because if he had made it, we still go to overtime,” he told reporters after the game.
“But defensively, there’s nothing more you can do. It’s just try to get in front of him, makes an incredible shot. Just gotta give credit.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo not chasing home court advantage
The Greek Freak accepted the loss but if it means losing the home advantage, too, he will not be bothered by it.
He is also aware that they might face the Pacers in the first round, a repeat of what happened from last season which he unfortunately missed due to left calf strain that he was not able to recover from in time for playoffs.
“Obviously they’re a team that we might face in the playoffs and if we have home court advantage it would be nice,” Antetokounmpo said.
“But it won’t be the end of the world. We had home court advantage last year and we lost. I’ve had home court advantage in the playoffs and lost many times. I’ve not had home court advantage and I’ve won.”
That is something they will deal with come April. For now, the two-time MVP is more concerned about their Thursday game with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“So, at the end of the day, we’ll worry about Thursday and try to get back on track and when Saturday comes, Saturday morning I’m going to focus on Indiana.”
The Bucks and Pacers meet again on Saturday for their fourth game in their series. Before that, they will host the Los Angeles Lakers before they travel to LA for a rematch.
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