Giannis Throws Shade at Celtics: Can't Lose 1st Game vs. Raptors and 'Be Fine'

On the eve of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors, Giannis Antetokounmpo believes the Milwaukee Bucks need to get off to a hot start. 

Per ESPN's Malika Andrews, Antetokounmpo used Milwaukee's previous series against the Boston Celtics as a point of comparison for what the team needs to do differently.

"Against Boston, you can go down 1-0 and still be fine; but against Toronto, it's hard to be in that spot when you lose the first game in your home," he said. 

The Bucks were stunned in Game 1 of the conference semifinals against Boston 112-90, their worst loss of the season. Even though some analysts said the series was over, Milwaukee responded with four straight wins by an average of 16.3 points. 

The Raptors are coming off a hard-fought series win over the Philadelphia 76ers, capped off by Kawhi Leonard's miracle game-winner at the buzzer in Game 7. 

Even though Toronto won't have a lot of rest before the Eastern Conference Finals begin, the team has proved itself all season to be one of the NBA's best and hasn't been fazed by adversity.

The Raptors have made it this far without defensive star OG Anunoby all postseason following an emergency appendectomy on April 11. 

Of course, the Bucks had to play their first eight playoff games without Malcolm Brogdon due to a plantar fascia tear in his right foot. 

Antetokounmpo's confidence and sense of urgency will be essential if the Bucks want to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1973-74. 

Milwaukee will have a chance to prove it's not going to have a letdown when the series begins Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum.