Giannis Antetokounmpo was his usual beast self in Greece’s quarterfinals game against Lithuania and he just can’t be stopped. The other team has to play physical that at one point, opponents had to push the Milwaukee Bucks star while up in the air.
The Greek Freak is used to playing physical but his brother Kostas thought NBA player Jonas Valanciunas went a little to far with his defense on Giannis. The play involved Giannis trying to dunk from the baseline but the Nuggets center just would not allow it.
Some thought he was not going for the ball. Kostas thought the same.
The hit: pic.twitter.com/lDzvlkFNdN
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The game got a little tensed in the third quarter of the game when the Giannis went down, leaving his supporters at the edge of their seats for probable injury. Kostas had to let Valenciunas know that it was inappropriate.
Jonas Valanciunas just gave Giannis a nice hit mid air and Kostas lets him hear about it… pic.twitter.com/ESF2NMo2eP
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Greece were just coming off a win over Israel where he also faced physical plays.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece reaches Final 4 again
It’s all good in the end as Antetokounmpo got up and his motor remained the same. He finished the game with 29 points, six rebounds, and two assists. He shot 9 out of 15, keeping his record of shooting above 50 percent clean.
Greece won the game, 87-76, and set up a Final 4 rematch with undefeated Turkey. This is the first time that Hellas reached the semi-finals since 2009. They haven’t won the tournament since 2005.
Giannis reminded the team after the win that job is not done.
“We didn’t win anything. Another game, okay? Don’t sleep! Wake up!” Antetokounmpo told them during huddle in mid-court.
Semifinals will be on September 12 at 7pm, Riga, Latvia time.
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