May 7, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scorring during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics during game three of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo called for questionable taunting foul against Celtics

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 5/9/22

Tight officiating struck again during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.

Early in the third quarter of Game 4, Giannis Antetokounmpo threw down a statement dunk on Boston’s Al Horford. Antetokounmpo briefly stopped and stared down Horford as if to make a point. That brief staredown got Antetokounmpo a technical foul for taunting courtesy of referee Tony Brothers.

Giannis got a tech for this.. pic.twitter.com/gZpEsXPsTf

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 10, 2022

Antetokounmpo barely even stops and stares, and he only stops a second time in disbelief after being hit with the taunting call. The situation clearly was not escalating, and the only gesture made was Horford nodding in acknowledgement.

Critics of NBA officiating being soft will seize on this as evidence to back their point.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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