Grant Williams drained seven 3-pointers as the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. (1:40)
There was a line of Celtics players and coaches waiting to speak to Antetokounmpo after the game ended.
They were eager to say goodbye but happy to give him respect.
When the Celtics arrive in Miami on Monday to start the Eastern Conference finals, they might as well have bumper stickers on their luggage.
The performance Antetokounmpo put forth in this second-round series was still one for the ages. That is perhaps the most impressive, that the Celtics withstood it.
The balance of power was constantly shifting in the two weeks leading up to the Game 7 as the road team won four times.
Giannis is the best player in the world. Jaylen Brown said that he can see why a lot of people say that. He is aggressive all the time. He is not going to be denied. It was difficult for us in the series.
In the semifinals, Antetokounmpo had 20 points and 20 rebound games. He had 44 points and 20 rebound in the 6th game, and 25 points and 20 rebound in the 7th game. Both of them were losses. According to the research, Antetokounmpo is the only player to lose consecutive games with 20-20 in the playoffs.
The Celtics changed course after Antetokounmpo crushed them with passing in the first game, allowing him to get his own numbers while still being swarmed in the paint.
Khris Middleton missed the entire series because of a knee injury he sustained in the first round. At one point in the series, there was hope that Middleton would come back and be a surprise. Sources said it became clear after he started light on-court work last week that he wouldn't have been able to return at the start of the conference finals.
A few members of the traveling party whispered to one another that there were some who didn't give the team full credit for its championship last season because of a number of injuries to other teams during the playoffs.
Over the last two games, the Celtics went more than 50 percent on 3-pointers. The Celtics set a franchise record in Game 7 by making 22 total, while the Bucks made 1 of 23 over the last three quarters. Under any circumstance, that is an unsurvivable ratio.
The first player was Antetokounmpo.
Amass 200 points, 100 rebound and 50 assists in a single series.
Over a four-game span, average 40 points, 15 rebound and five assists.
Since 2001, have had 25 points, 20 rebound and five assists in consecutive playoff games.
It is one of the toughest things to do, according to Celtics coach Ime Udoka. We decided to trust our guys.
The NBA playoffs run through June, when the league will crown a champion for its 75th season.
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