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Since the Greek Freak can’t go, that’s a built-in excuse for Rivers for his team’s collapse, even if they suffer a first-round upset.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They’re likely to face the Miami Heat, who beat them in the playoffs two of the last four years, the Indiana Pacers (4-1 against Milwaukee this season) or the Philadelphia 76ers, who have won six straight games and had reigning MVP Joel Embiid return.<\/p>\n
Rivers is no stranger to making excuses after losses, but with Antetokounmpo out or limited with injury, the Bucks could well be underdogs in their first-round series.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While Rivers is the only coach in NBA history to blow a 3-1 series lead three times, it’s unlikely that a Giannis-free Bucks team could take a 3-1 lead at all.<\/p>\n
Taking over a contending NBA team midseason isn’t easy, and Rivers has struggled with a team full of players he didn’t choose. He had success bringing old favorite Patrick Beverley into the starting lineup this week, who responded with 20 points and 10 rebounds.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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There’s no lineup change to make up for missing Antetokounmpo, however. It would be a crushing loss for the Bucks, but perhaps a boost to Rivers’ job security.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n