Giannis 'Can't Promise' Game 2 Win vs. Celtics, Promises Bucks Will Play Hard

Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't guarantee victory for the Milwaukee Bucks' in Game 2 against the Boston Celtics but assured fans the Bucks will do everything they can to even their playoff series. 

"I can't promise you we are going to win," Antetokounmpo said Monday, per ESPN.com's Tim Bontemps. "But I can promise we are going to play hard."

Game 1 couldn't have gone much worse for Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo had 22 points but shot 7-of-21 from the field. More concerning, Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez were a combined 2-of-10, scoring nine points. The absence of Malcolm Brogdon on the defensive end was apparent as well, with Kyrie Irving scoring a game-high 26 points and dishing out 11 assists.

Although it's way too early to start writing off the Bucks, the Celtics essentially highlighted every reason to be concerned for Milwaukee's chances. The supporting cast didn't step up to support Antetokounmpo, and Brogdon's foot injury leaves the team down one of its best perimeter defenders against a dynamic Boston backcourt.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer provided a positive update about Brogdon, though it's unclear when or if he'll suit up for Milwaukee in this series.

Coming off a disappointing loss, some Bucks fans might have wanted to hear a more demonstrative response from Antetokounmpo.

The three-time All-Star is in a no-win position on that front. He obviously can't come off as sounding too negative toward his teammates. He'd also risk providing the Celtics with some proverbial bulletin board material by going to the opposite extreme calling Milwaukee's shot in Game 2.

The Greek Freak may or may not have remembered Bledsoe trying to big-time Terry Rozier in last year's postseason, only to have Rozier outshine Bledsoe and play a key role in the Celtics' first-round win over the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo is right to let his game do most of the talking against Boston.