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Miami Heat star small forward Jimmy Butler went off for 40 points in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and many Bucks fans were wondering why head coach Mike Budenholzer didn't put Giannis Antetokounmpo on Butler.
Antetokounmpo told reporters after Game 1 he wasn't going to ask Budenholzer to guard Butler since he does whatever the former Coach of the Year tells him to do.
With that being said, it looks like Budenholzer is thinking about putting the Defensive Player of the Year on Butler:
Mike Budenholzer, on Giannis potentially guarding Jimmy Butler, "It's certainly a consideration and discussion."
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 1, 2020
The Bucks had no answers for Jimmy Butler in Game 1. The five-time All-Star shot 13-of-20 from the field, 2-of-2 from beyond the arc and 12-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Milwaukee would be wise to put Giannis Antetokounmpo on Butler moving forward, or else this series could get out of hand quickly for the Bucks. If anything, The Greek Freak should get the Butler assignment in crunch time after the Heat star absolutely went off down the stretch in Game 1. Butler scored 15 points in the final frame.
Milwaukee lost Game 1 against the Orlando Magic in the first round before winning four straight. Odds are the Bucks won't win four straight against the Heat, so the sense of urgency in the Milwaukee locker room should be very high right now.
Antetokounmpo had a mediocre Game 1. The reigning MVP scored only 18 points in 37 minutes. He shot 6-of-12 overall and a putrid 4-of-12 from the free-throw line.
Antetokounmpo has to improve his free-throw shooting moving forward if the Bucks want to come back against the Heat and ultimately win the whole thing.
