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Pursuits

Tiring Giannis, Bucks Fall Short in NBA Title Repeat Bid

Boston Celtics center Al Horford, left, and guard Jaylen Brown, center, vie for a rebound with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Boston Celtics center Al Horford, left, and guard Jaylen Brown, center, vie for a rebound with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (JIMMY GOLEN)

(AP) -- Giannis Antetokounmpo powered his way to the rim, trying to keep the Milwaukee Bucks’ title defense alive. Again and again, the ball just wouldn’t drop.

Layups, putbacks — shots that are usually automatic for the two-time MVP and reigning NBA champion — bounced fruitlessly away. And the Bucks kept dropping further behind.