Giannis Antetokounmpo after Friday’s loss: “If you’re not going to compete, you’re not going to win the game.”

NEW YORK (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is frustrated. He wants to see his team play with more intensity.

Kia’s two-time MVP took issue with Milwaukee’s efforts after that. lost 116-94 at the New York Knicks on Friday night to fall to 2-7 on the season.

“Coming to New York, playing the way we do, teams aren’t just going to give us games,” Antetokounmpo said. “The teams won’t feel bad about us. We have to adopt the mentality that we have to compete for every possession, one possession at a time.

“We need to do a better job competing. We didn’t compete at all.

The Bucks trailed by as many as 30 points in their seventh loss in their last eight games. Antetokounmpo had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Damian Lillard scored 19 points, but there wasn’t much offense beyond the team’s two biggest stars.

“If you’re not going to compete, you’re not going to win the game,” Antetokounmpo said. “Sometimes you fight hard and you don’t win the game. But at least give yourself a chance.

Milwaukee gave up four 3-pointers in the first half to Knicks 7-footer Karl-Anthony Towns, including New York’s first two baskets of the game. The Bucks allowed layups and dunks in transition – New York held a 7-1 advantage in steals and outscored Milwaukee 21-8 in transition. The Knicks also held a 48-41 rebounding advantage.

“I think everyone is frustrated,” Lillard said. “When you’re in the kind of situation we’re in – losing games and trying to find yourself, find your identity – I think everyone is frustrated. You don’t want the guys here to be happy.

“We have to understand what we do and what it looks like when we succeed, and that starts with playing hard and competing.”

Antetokounmpo was particularly frustrated since the Bucks had been playing better lately. The Bucks lost two close games to the undefeated Cavaliers — including a two-point loss at Cleveland on Monday when Antetokounmpo didn’t dress — then cruised to a 23-point win over Utah on Thursday night.

But Friday was a no-show, according to the Bucks star.

“Did we participate in the previous match? Yes. Did we participate in the previous two games, Cavs and Cavs? Yes. Did we compete today? No,” Antetokounmpo said. “We played very well last night. We arrive in New York, we lost by (22).

The Bucks fell to 19-26 in the regular season under coach Doc Rivers. But Antetokounmpo offered a vote of confidence to his embattled coach.

“Doc is doing his best,” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s trying to figure out the rotation. …I give him props on that. At the end of the day, the guys that play, we have to go out there and compete. He can’t compete for us on the sidelines.

Milwaukee has only played three home games so far this season. But seven of its next eight games will be at Fiserv Forum, including Sunday afternoon’s game against the NBA champion Boston Celtics.

“We have Boston in two days,” Antetokounmpo said. “If we’re not competitive, we’re going to lose by 30.”