Giannis: 'We've played horribly' against top 3 teams in East
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo did not hold back following a 140-106 blowout loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.
The defeat dropped the Bucks to 0-8 this season against the top three teams in the Eastern Conference - the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Knicks.
"We've gotta get our stuff together," said Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN's Chris Herring. "It's as simple as that. We did not beat Boston. We did not beat the Cavs. We didn't beat the Knicks. Those are the top three teams, and we've played horribly against them."
Milwaukee has lost three times to the Cavaliers and Celtics and twice to the Knicks. Their other loss to New York came on Nov. 8 and dropped the Bucks to 2-7 to start the season.
The Bucks have turned it around since then and now sit at 20-17. They're sixth in the East, but Antetokounmpo still expects more from his team against the league's best.
"I think we're a way better team than the November team," Antetokounmpo said. "We've proven it by playing good basketball for longer stretches. But at the end of the day, when we're playing the better teams, we've got to do a better job. They're not just going to give it to us - we've got to take it. They're not just going to fold."
Milwaukee was unable to contain Jalen Brunson on Sunday. He erupted for 44 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 30 points and 18 rebounds.
Antetokounmpo scored a team-high 24 points, and Damian Lillard put up 22 points to go along with five assists. They were the only two members of the Bucks' starting five to score in double digits.
Lillard compared Milwaukee's struggles against the top teams to his time as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. He believes the Bucks will be able to figure things out by the time the playoffs arrive.
"One year in Portland, we got our asses whupped every game by OKC," Lillard said. "Then in the playoffs, we whupped their ass. So no, we haven't beaten the top teams. But we also have to key in, look at why, figure out the context and move forward."
The Bucks next play Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings. They do not meet the Cavaliers, Celtics, or Knicks again until Mar. 9, when they host Cleveland.