Giannis backs struggling Holiday: He'll 'be there when we need him the most'

With his Milwaukee Bucks down 2-0 to the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't panicking about a lack of production from Jrue Holiday so far in the series.

"I know he's going to be there when we need him the most, and I don't worry about it," Antetokounmpo said of Holiday following the Bucks' 118-108 loss in Game 2, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "He's a great basketball player. He's played great all year, and he's going to continue to play great for this team."

Despite solid contributions as a playmaker and on the defensive end, Holiday has struggled with his efficiency through two Finals games: The 31-year-old has scored a combined 27 points on 11-of-35 shooting (31.4%).

Antetokounmpo knows Holiday needs to fill a larger offensive role as Milwaukee looks to keep pace with the Suns' high-octane offense, but he said there are other ways his teammate can continue to contribute.

"Just keep talking to him, keep telling him to be aggressive," the 26-year-old said of his message for Holiday as the series shifts to Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum for Games 3 and 4. "No matter what's going on, you've got to stay aggressive, and you cannot get in your feelings. It's hard not to.

"You know, NBA Finals, 20,000 people booing you and all that, it's kind of hard. ... If there's a game that you're 3-for-12 or whatever the case might be, and you can rebound the ball or get a steal or do something else to help the team win, that's what it's all about right now. I think he understands that."

The Bucks have already fought back from a 2-0 deficit this postseason, overcoming the Brooklyn Nets in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.