The Suns won games 1 and 2 at home, then the Bucks defended their home floor and won games 3 and 4, now the 2021 NBA Finals are a best of 3. Game 4 was one of the most incredible basketball games of the year that was capped off by one of the most difficult blocks in the history of the sport. The way Giannis Antetokounmpo was able to step up, force Devin Booker to throw a lob after Booker blew by P.J. Tucker then the way Antetokounmpo recovered and blocked the Deandre Ayton dunk attempt. It was one of the most incredible plays I have ever seen, Booker did throw a bad pass but that is not the point. Let’s dive into each game and see how we have gotten to this point on the series.
Game one was a fun basketball game. After the Suns looked like they might dominate the game in the first half, the Bucks made a run in the second half and made it interesting. However, they were never able to get that huge basket that would have really made it interesting. Chris Paul had his best game of the series to this point and the Suns took game one, 118-105. Game 2 was a similar game. The Suns looked like they might run away with it in the first half but then Giannis tried his best to give Milwaukee the win, scoring 20 points in the 3rd quarter alone, he had 42 points and 12 rebounds for the entire game. Entering the finals, we were not sure if Giannis’ would be healthy after he hyperextended his knee in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals but boy oh boy has he been healthy. However the Greek Freaks effort was not enough, as Mikal Bridges' 27 points to go along with Devin Booker’s 31 was too much for Milwaukee to overcome and the Suns went up 2-0 in the series, winning 118-108. Then the series shifted back to Milwaukee and the Bucks fans were ready.
Game 3 belonged to the Bucks. The Greek Freak had another magical performance, with 41 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jrue Holiday, who could not buy a basket in the first 2 games, hit four 3 pointers in the 3rd quarter, and had 21 points for the game. Deandre Ayton looked like he might dominate the game early but foul trouble held him to just 24 minutes. Devin Booker struggled scoring 10 points on 3/14 shooting (keep that in mind), as the Bucks would go on to cut Phoenix’s series lead to 2-1, winning 120-100. Game 4 was an amazing game. Let us start by mentioning Booker’s bounce back performance, 42 points on 17/28 shooting, even if he should have fouled out of the game three times, he was still incredible. CP3 struggled, as he only scored 10 points and had 5 turnovers. Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis were awesome off the bench for the Bucks and Giannis played a great game with 26 points, 14 rounds, 8 assists, and one of the best plays a basketball player can make. However, the story of the game was Khris Middleton. 40 points and 6 rebounds not to mention the 14 points he delivered in the fourth quarter. The Suns led late in the 3rd quarter, by as many as 9 points, but let the game slip away, as Middleton took over. Bucks 109-103, the series is tied at 2 games a piece, and we have a best of 3. How should both sides go into game 5 and the rest of the series?
Both teams have area’s they can improve. First for the Suns. They have to get production from guys like Jae Crowder, Torrey Craig, and Mikal Bridges. Those guys have to hit open 3 pointers and that should change at home, as they say ‘role players play better at home’ (don’t ask me who says that, it is just a phrase I hear often). Phoenix also needs Chris Paul to step up to the plate. I expect Milwaukee to continue to guard Paul with Jrue Holiday at the at points throughout the game so Paul needs to find ways to get the ball in the basket from the mid-range area, the way he has throughout his entire career. One reason the ‘Point God’ might be struggling is because he tore a couple of ligaments in his hand during the Clippers series so that is just something to keep in mind. For the Bucks it comes down to Khris Middleton delivering. If Middleton plays well and the other guys are able to shoot about 45%, the Bucks will have a very good chance to win. However, if Middleton reverts to game 2 form, where he scored just 11 points, Milwaukee has no chance to win. He needs to be great, not good, great. 30 points kind of great. Giannis is going to show up, he needs his partner in crime, if Middleton is that, Milwaukee should win the series. Now Pat Connaughton, P.J. Tucker, Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday, and Bobby Portis also have to hit enough shots to win as well, so it is not all on Middleton and Antetokounmpo. The rest of this series should be fun, and let’s hope it goes 7.
The 2021 NBA Finals have been good but game 4 was epic. There have been lots of plays that have had huge impacts in the series. In games 1 and 2 the Bucks just could not get that one shot to fall as they cut the Suns lead to single digits. Game 4 for the Suns, Chris Paul turning the ball over while down 2 leading to a Middleton layup that all but sealed the win for the Bucks. The NBA Finals are now a best of 3, so sit back and enjoy because it should be a good 3 game series.
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