Boston Celtics: Game 1 takeaways from loss vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Takeaway No. 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo may be a potentially fatal problem

Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped his second career triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in Game 1. He even provided a highlight reel worthy play, throwing himself an alley-top off the backboard.

Antetokounmpo is the greatest basketball player in the world right now and Boston is going to need to find a solution for him. There’s no way they can stop him, but what they can do, is slow him down.

Al Horford was the first Celtic to get a crack at him on the defensive side of things and he impressively stood his ground. He never fully shut down Antetokounmpo, but he was playing some stingy defense and forced the 2021 NBA Finals MVP to take some tough shots.

A part of Giannis’ game which has vastly improved is his jump shot game. Even going back to just last season, if Antetokounmpo had the ball behind the arc, you would give him all the space in the world. That’s not to say he’s a sharpshooter now, but when he has the ball you’re going to inch up a little more than you were last year.

Whether it’s scoring or his playmaking, Antetokounmpo is going to be a force to reckon with this series, but if you want to be the champion, you’re going to need to beat the champion.

Onto Game 2.