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Giannis MVP Watch: Bucks vs. Celtics

Aron Baynes must owe Antetokounmpo some money

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    Giannis Antetokounmpo,Jayson Tatum
    Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, center, goes to the basket past Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. AP Photo/Winslow Townson
    Martenzie Johnson By @10zJohnson

    If you’re new to this series, read our previous entries about Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP candidacy (Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV).

    What did he do?

    40 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 12 made free throws on 58.3 percent shooting in a 111-100 loss at the Boston Celtics on Monday night.

    Did he dunk on someone?

    Celtics center Aron Baynes must owe Antetokounmpo some money, because this is getting ridiculous. Boston and Milwaukee have played three times this year, and Antetokounmpo has tried to murder the big man no fewer than five times. In Game 1, Antetokounmpo caught a lob practically on Baynes’ back:

    And that was after Antetokounmpo two-hand power slammed it in Baynes’ face like Shaquille O’Neal:

    https://youtu.be/mqhYfY34yZU

    In Game 2, Antetokounmpo should’ve been indicted right then and there for what he tried to do:

    And on Monday, Antetokounmpo went for the Paul Manafort special of federal charges. First, the attempt:

    And then the actual crime:

    Celtics guard Marcus Smart was feeling left out, and Antetokounmpo was in the giving mood. Smart did not … *puts on shades* … make a smart decision:

    Did he make a crazy play?

    There were two. For the first play, Antetokounmpo got out on the fast break, caught the pass at midcourt, took his one and only dribble 5 feet behind the 3-point line, launched himself just inside the free-throw line and finger-rolled it in with Smart — back for seconds — right below him. Antetokounmpo essentially converted a layup from half court.

    Then #ThoseGuys came out of their basement to call the play a “travel.” I am tired of #YouPeople who call out travels in NBA games. Go enjoy a Gonzaga game that ends in a 55-51 score if you want to watch “real” basketball so much.

    Anywho, earlier in the game Antetokounmpo bullied Celtics guard Jaylen Brown in the paint, caught his own rebound over Baynes (poor guy) after a miss and then dunked it in Baynes’ face (Antetokounmpo should be deported, now that I think about it).

    What was his MVP moment?

    When I created “Giannis MVP Watch” earlier this season, I made one stipulation: that the Bucks had to win to make the post. Monday night was an exception. With the Celtics up by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, Antetokounmpo went into a zone, scoring half (16) of the team’s 32 points in the period. Through sheer force and determination, Antetokounmpo cut the lead to seven, but stamina got him in the end (39 minutes), and the Bucks eventually lost by 11. This was his third 40-plus-point game of the season, which leads all players — including MVP front-runners LeBron James and James Harden.

    Martenzie Johnson is a senior writer for Andscape. His favorite cinematic moment is when Django said, "Y'all want to see somethin?"

    This Story Tagged: NBA Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo Marcus Smart