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WATCH: Brooklyn Nets Fans Boo Giannis Antetokounmpo Over an Air Ball

Published 06/19/2021, 9:39 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Tonight, the Barclays Center is a Gladiator arena where Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are locking horns for the semifinals series. A week ago, critics were giving Brooklyn the series in five games and now, it is Kyrie Irving watching the game from the bench, anything can happen. The Bucks have certainly come a long way.

The visitors started the game with a 6-0 lead after a dagger from Brook Lopez and a stunner from PJ Tucker. However, the next 11 points went to the Nets, and that’s how the proceedings began. It was a neck-to-neck, eye-to-eye battle for blood.

When Giannis Antetokounmpo received his shock

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Prior to the game, NBA analysts like Grant Hill and Charles Barkley had picked the Bucks as their favorite to win. But the Nets rushed with a Q1 lead after showing better field efficiency. Kevin Durant was quickly in the double figures as a strong defender in Jrue Holiday failed to contain the 11x All-Star in 1-O-1. Plus, James Harden was far more effective and alert in Game 7 than he was in the last two games combined. 

But still, it was this dunk from Bruce Brown on a KD pass that took turned heads in Q2. With Brooklyn leading 34-30, this is how Brown put Giannis Antetokounmpo to work –

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But as if that mocking on the Greek Freak was already not enough, the man under pressure made yet another blunder. With the Nets carrying a formidable lead, Giannis air-balled his crucial FT. Take a look at how the Barclays crowd booed him (and also notice Blake Griffin’s reaction) –

The Real Reason Behind Why Kevin Durant Went From Jersey Number 35 to 7

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What was the strategy of the Brooklyn Nets in Game 7?

The starting lineup of the Nets had Bruce Brown and one could understand why. He was effective against Brook Lopez in the series and hence the Nets needed his early luck. Plus, his guarding ability could also help against the very dangerous Khris Middleton. With an early three-pointer from Giannis Antetokounmpo, it was clear that the Bucks had a plan that could repeat Game 6.

For the Nets, they definitely hated some early officiating and hoped that the refs would give Kevin Durant what he owed later in the game. Nevertheless, KD was anyway getting every shot he wanted. And only once when he airballed, Bruce Brown and Blake Griffin ensured the ball finds the Nets.

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By halftime, the Nets had a six-point lead. So whom were you cheering for? Help us know in the comment.

Watch this story – Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Others’ Heated NBA Moments

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Written by:

Sourabh Singh

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Sourabh Singh is an NBA sports analyst for EssentiallySports, who has been working with the site since May 2020. Prior to this, he functioned as Managing Editor at WittyFeed, followed by a stint at Decathlon. The Sports Management graduate leads an active lifestyle, veering to the mountains for off-trail adventures.
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