Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 97-86 Game 6 win over Boston Celtics

Giannis being Giannis

Without a doubt, the difference in the Bucks’ win over the Celtics on Thursday night proved to be Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as he arguably had his signature performance of the series thus far.

Playing nearly 41-and-a-half minutes, the two-time All-Star finished with a game-high 31 points on 13-of-23 shooting from the field (0-for-2 shooting from three), 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals and was a team-high +17 for the night.

After his occasionally passive Game 5 performance, Antetokounmpo was eager to hunt for his own shot to start the game, which got off to mixed results.

Eventually, however, the 23-year-old attacked the multiple gaps that opened up for him as the game wore on, and he also looked to dispatch any of the Celtics’ bigs that stood in his way of the basket after getting mismatched onto him.

Defensively, Antetokounmpo’s presence altered the paths of many Celtics drives, looks or shots at the rim and his willingness to attack the glass and secure loose rebounds helped give the Bucks a much needed advantage in that department (more on that later).

With the Bucks’ backs against the wall, Antetokounmpo led the charge as his many capabilities shone through to help keep his team’s hopes alive for at least one more game.