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“Gotta Slap Him”: Celtics Fans Enraged as Giannis Antetokounmpo Insults Marcus Smart In Unearthed Video

Published 05/02/2022, 1:30 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

A video of Giannis answering questions about Marcus Smart in 2019 has resurfaced and the Celtics fans are furious. It was after the Milwaukee Bucks eliminated the Boston Celtics in the 2019 Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Bucks won the series with a 4-1 record as the Celtics avoided a sweep. 

The interviewer asked Giannis about Marcus Smart’s impact on the game. And he appeared to be checking the notes for Marcus’ stats. Then looked over at Khris Middleton with a grin on his face and said that Marcus Smart is a great player. But Khris Middleton seemed unable to keep a straight face.

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And Giannis’ reaction has enraged the Celtics fans as many think that his answer was sarcastic. 

In that game, Marcus Smart went 0 of 4 from the floor. In 18 minutes, he scored 4 points, all coming from free throws with 2 assists. The current DPOY grabbed 3 rebounds and got 2 steals.

Kyrie Irving lead the Celtics in scoring with 15 points but had a poor shooting night. He made just 6 of his 21 shot attempts. And one assist the whole game. 

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The Bucks won the game with a scoreline of 116-91. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a great all-around game. He ended the game with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. And Middleton scored 19 points with 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks win game 1

Turn to 2022, and the Celtics have undergone a whole host of changes. Coach Brad Stevens left the job and Ime Udoka took the reins. Kyrie Irving left Boston for the Brooklyn Nets. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Horford remain in the starting five. Marcus Smart, who was coming off the bench, is a starter now. And is now the first guard to win the DPOY award after Gary Payton.

USA Today via Reuters

However, the Celtics could not beat the Bucks in game 1, who were without their All-Star Khris Middleton with a scoreline of 101-89. Giannis had a triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists. He was able to find open teammates, as he was constantly double-teamed by the Celtics. But he was only able to make 9 of 25 field goal attempts. 

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Jrue Holiday lead the Bucks in scoring with 25 points and registered 9 rebounds and 5 assists. And Bobby Portis had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

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Jayson Tatum lead the Celtics in scoring with 21 points and had 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Marcus Smart ended the game with 10 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Jaylen Brown scored 12 points with 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

Do you think the Celtics can win game 2?

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Written by:

Bagavathi Eswaran

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Bagavathi Eswaran is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He has been playing the game of basketball for more than 20 years now and has also been following the NBA for more than 10 years. After not being able to go pro, this former college player decided to join the IT industry.
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Edited by:

Ajinkya Aswale