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“Whatever it takes for us to win, he's going to do it,” - Mike Budenholzer on Giannis Antetokopunmpo’s endgame heroics versus Los Angeles Clippers

Giannis Antetokounmpo is fearless and relentless in the words of coach Bud.
Matthew Dugandzic|
“Whatever it takes for us to win, he's going to do it,” - Mike Budenholzer on Giannis Antetokopunmpo’s endgame heroics versus Los Angeles Clippers
“Whatever it takes for us to win, he's going to do it,” - Mike Budenholzer on Giannis Antetokopunmpo’s endgame heroics versus Los Angeles Clippers

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Milwaukee Bucks

Fearless and relentless. That was the apt description of Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer of Giannis Antetokounmpo shortly after the star forward powered the Bucks to an amazing 106-105 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

Coach Bud loves what Giannis does

Antetokounmpo willed the Bucks to victory by erupting for 54 points, including a magnificent fourth-quarter performance that helped his team snatch its sixth straight win despite trailing by as many as 21 points in the third period.

The Greek Freak unloaded 20 points in the fourth, dropping big shot after big shot, including the go-ahead free throws.

"He's relentless," Budenholzer said. "He's going to put himself in position to help us win.

Giannis also added 19 rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes of action. The two-time MVP also displayed nerves of steel when he made two free throws that put the Bucks ahead, 106-105, with 1:47 left.

That turned out to be the game's final points as the Bucks escaped with their 35th win of the season.

"Whatever it takes for us to win, he's going to do it. He's fearless and relentless. That's what you saw going down the stretch," Budenholzer said.

Scoring surge and record

Scoring at least 50 points in three of his last 11 games, Antetokounmpo nearly surpassed his career-high of 55 points that he made on January 3rd when he powered the Bucks to a 123-113 win over the Washington Wizards.

The 54-point performance allowed Antetokounmpo to join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in Bucks history to have at least three 50-point games in a season.

"It's a great compliment to be up there with Kareem," Antetokounmpo said. "Man, I never thought I was going to score 50 in the NBA when I got drafted. It's an insane, crazy journey."

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.