Al Horford on guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo: “Just the challenges of being in the NBA”

I mean, you know, they played good defense. We got Kyrie with the ball. That's what we wanted. That's, you know, we wanted to make plays at the end of the game and it just didn't go our way.

Anything you guys would have done differently down the stretch?

No, I mean, you know, get the ball in Kyrie's hand, let him create. You know, I felt like we put ourselves in a good position. Official there. That 3 by Middleton at the top of the key really hurt us. You know, just have to go back and look at that on film. I felt like we played hard, they played hard, it just went their way.

[FOREIGN LANGUAGE] You guarded for long stretches, they had like 3 long drives, but it felt like you maybe didn't take advantage of it at the other end when you were holding them scoreless. Did you feel like there were chances to kind of jump on them?

Yeah, that happens. You know, we got really good looks and they just didn't go down for us. And that was tough. Other looks that we normally make. And we're gonna make 'em.

Alec, you've had kind of a tough stretch. You look at, you went up against Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond, and now tonight Giannis. Just what does that do for your game facing competition like that?

I mean, it's just the challenges of being in the NBA. You play great players, it seems like, night after night. This is the position that you wanna be in to compete and go against the best.

He's inside the plays here and there on both ends of the floor. Was this at least the kind of grit you're looking for? Continuation of the kind of grit you guys are looking for? Competitiveness?

Yeah, you know, I felt like, you know, obviously on the road it's much more difficult and, you know, the group competed. We played hard and we had our chances. But give them credit, you know, they made more plays.

Is this Bucks team noticeably improved from last year's playoffs?

Yes, yes, he's noticeable. I feel like Bud has done a great job with this group and he has them playing very confident and at a high level. And I think that the addition of Mirotić is really gonna help this team.

You played for Mike in Atlanta, does this feel like his type of team?

The type of weapons they have? Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, most guys can do just everything on the floor, shoot, drive. That's how he likes it.