Giannis Antetokounmpo sounded awestruck when it was over, after Kevin Durant had outdueled the Milwaukee superstar and posted a 49-point triple-double to will the Nets to a 114-108, Game 5 victory at Barclays Center.
And though he gave all his kudos to KD, “The Greek Freak’’ said he would love to try to contain the Nets superstar in Game 6 — a chance he never got Tuesday.
“One of the best players to ever play the game,’’ Antetokounmpo said after the Bucks fell into a 3-2 hole by blowing a 17-point lead. “He’s the best player in the world right now. We got to beat him as a team and make him make tough shots. And hopefully he’s going to miss. If coach wants to double him, we’ll double him”
The Bucks rarely doubled Durant, hanging P.J. Tucker out to dry. When asked if he’d like to have a hand in stopping KD on Thursday, Antetokounmpo said, “Sure I want to take the challenge. Everyone will have a chance to guard him. I’d love in Game 6 to guard him. If coach wants me to do that, I’m ready for it.’’
As Durant willed the Nets into the lead in the fourth quarter, hitting from inside and outside, Antetokounmpo didn’t have as many answers.
A terrific 34-point game by the Greek Freak was spoiled by a final quarter not befitting a player named All-NBA first team earlier in the night.
In the final minute, trailing 109-107, Milwaukee’s Kris Middleton drove and fed Antetokounmpo underneath. He fumbled the ball, the Nets recovered and that was about it.
“I wasn’t able to get my two hands on it,’’ Antetokounmpo said. “Great pass by Kris. I messed up that play. I can’t focus on that. I got to focus on Game 6. Hopefully if Kris makes that pass I can grab it and finish the play.’’
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Durant, who didn’t play enough games this season to get any All-NBA honors, completely overshadowed Antetokounmpo — who scored just seven points in the final period. He still made 14 of 22 shots but also committed four turnovers. He was really good — just not the masterpiece KD painted.
“Everybody in the locker room was upset up [17] and not being able to take this game,’’ he said. “But no one said it’s going to be easy. We played the greatest player in the world who played the perfect game.’’
The Greek Freak also didn’t come through from the free-throw line down the stretch — which was no surprise considering how he’s been a mess from there. Twice, he was at the line for two shots and sank one of two each time.
Trailing 106-104 with 1:14 left, Antetokounmpo went to the line with the Barclays Center crowd at a fever pitch. He bounced the first free throw off the front rim and side rim. He made the next but Durant came down and drilled a 3-pointer for major breathing room.
“Special performance, credit to him,’’ Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.