NBA Finals: The Bucks hit back at home to bash the Suns in Game 3
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The Milwaukee Bucks are back in the series, getting their first Finals win in nearly 50 years as they beat up the Suns in Game 3.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (26) led the charge as the Bucks won by a score of 120-100 to cut Phoenix's Finals lead to 2-1 on Sunday night. The series moved to Milwaukee for Games 3 and 4 after the Suns took the first two games on their floor last week, and the change of scenery clearly had a big impact. This was a game that the Bucks had to have, and they proved that there's still plenty of fight left in them.
Antetokounmpo kept up his insane performance levels from Game 2, and he bagged 41 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists on Sunday. The difference this time around was his teammates being equally physical in the paint. The Bucks came together to grab 47 rebounds, 11 more than the Suns. They also outscored Phoenix 54-40 down low by the basket.
The Suns did come out from the opening tip and were largely successful through the first quarter. But once the second quarter got underway, Milwaukee's defense threw the hammer down and held Phoenix to only 17 points, going into the half with a 15-point lead. The Bucks kept that lead going in the second half, even though the Suns tried to fight back and got as close as four points.
Instead of falling into a nearly impossible 0-3 hole, the Bucks have made sure that the series will indeed head back to the desert, at least for a game five.
Home advantage the key in this series
The Bucks will look to build on this big show by giving the Suns more of the same in Game 4. Their home record is standing them in good stead, having only lost one out of nine games this postseason. The Suns have looked equally impressive on their own floor, so it seems like whoever manages to sneak a win on the road will end up with their hands on the title.
Game 4 of the NBA Finals is on Wednesday night, again from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire