The Miami Heat have taken a 2-0 lead over the #1 seed in the East, defeating Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks in back-to-back games. They are now 6-0 in the 2020 NBA Playoffs and one of the two teams that remain undefeated so far in the postseason!
After scoring 40 points in Game 1, Jimmy Butler was relatively quiet during the second game. Though he scored only 13 points, but his last two points sealed the victory for the Heat.
On the last possession of the game, Giannis took it upon himself to guard Jimmy. But Butler drew a foul against the 2020 DPOY and drained two clutch free throws to take a 2-0 lead in the series. However, there are many sections of the crowd who believe the call on Giannis was rather controversial.
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If it weren’t for that foul against Giannis, the game would have gone to overtime. And in the absence of Bam Adebayo, the Heat might have lost the game.
Jimmy Butler gets the foul at the buzzer 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/DYQUkCBcoK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 3, 2020
Giannis’ 29 point double-double was overshadowed by this careless mistake down the stretch. Moreover, the Bucks went ice cold at the end of the fourth quarter. In a way, that was the reason for Bucks’ demise against the Heat for the second time in a row.
Twitter reacts to Milwaukee Bucks losing game 2
Fans went crazy after the Miami Heat’s amazing team performance led to Bucks’ second consecutive defeat in the second round.
Jimmy Butler Looking at Giannis on the late night bubble meal line. pic.twitter.com/6gOZfSb5Ae
— Vada_Fly (@Vada_Fly) September 3, 2020
How Jimmy Butler looking at Giannis pic.twitter.com/rDwE5L8QTK
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 3, 2020
Y’all wanted giannis to guard Jimmy in crunch time and well.. pic.twitter.com/m0vQIzhhb6
— kyle/Free agent nba fan (@knicks_tape99) September 3, 2020
Giannis getting exposed by Jimmy Buckets pic.twitter.com/AZIVdFyhAz
— Baby Flacko Jr 🤴🏾🍫 (@bootlegtchalla) September 3, 2020
When Giannis and Harden watching the playoffs on the couch next week pic.twitter.com/H3iekaFCeK
— Anthony Moore (@AllThatandMoore) September 3, 2020
If the first two games are any indication, the Greek Freak needs to carry the Bucks on his back. In the first two games, Giannis was averaging just 23.5 ppg. It is not bad by any means. However, Giannis, a top choice to win MVP this year, cannot look like a shell of himself in the Playoffs.
Is it time for Giannis to say goodbye to the Bucks?
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The biggest concern for the Bucks right now is to keep the Greek Freak happy. Giannis’ contract expires after the 2020-21 season and if the Bucks do not make the finals this year. It would be tough to keep the former MVP in Milwaukee.
Teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors are in top contention to land Giannis if he calls quits with the Bucks. Furthermore, Giannis will become an unrestricted free agent in 2021, which means the clock is ticking for the Bucks .
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The team was expected to come out of the East with no difficulties. But so far, they have faced nothing but trouble in the postseason. Prior to the Heat, the Bucks also lost the opening game against the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo take his talents to another franchise? Or will he stay loyal to the Bucks? 2021 free agency can change the landscape of the entire league.