Bucks Defeat Suns in Game 3, 120-100
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 120-100, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum on Sunday.
While this game stayed competitive through the first 30 minutes, Milwaukee scored the final 16 points of the third quarter to take control. That turned a six-point lead into a 22-point lead, with Phoenix never getting within 15 points in the fourth quarter. That actually followed up a 35-18 second quarter, allowing the Bucks to hold the lead for the final 30 minutes. The Bucks shot 14-of-36 from three-point range and 20-of-26 from the free-throw line while the Suns shot 9-of-31 from long range and 11-of-16 from the charity stripe. Milwaukee also won the turnover battle, 14-9.
The Suns (2-1) were led by Chris Paul, collecting 19 points and nine assists. Jae Crowder knocked down six of his seven threes to finish with 18 points and six boards. Deandre Ayton amassed 18 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Devin Booker went just 3-of-14 from the field to finish with 19 points and six rebounds. Cameron Johnson led the bench with 14 points and five boards.
The Bucks (1-2) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Jrue Holiday totaled 21 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Khris Middleton accrued 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Bobby Portis led the bench with 11 points and eight rebounds. Brook Lopez also had 11 points.
Game 4 will be played in Milwaukee on Tuesday. A 2-2 series is nearly a coin flip in NBA history while a team up 3-1 has won over 90 percent of those series.
While this game stayed competitive through the first 30 minutes, Milwaukee scored the final 16 points of the third quarter to take control. That turned a six-point lead into a 22-point lead, with Phoenix never getting within 15 points in the fourth quarter. That actually followed up a 35-18 second quarter, allowing the Bucks to hold the lead for the final 30 minutes. The Bucks shot 14-of-36 from three-point range and 20-of-26 from the free-throw line while the Suns shot 9-of-31 from long range and 11-of-16 from the charity stripe. Milwaukee also won the turnover battle, 14-9.
The Suns (2-1) were led by Chris Paul, collecting 19 points and nine assists. Jae Crowder knocked down six of his seven threes to finish with 18 points and six boards. Deandre Ayton amassed 18 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Devin Booker went just 3-of-14 from the field to finish with 19 points and six rebounds. Cameron Johnson led the bench with 14 points and five boards.
The Bucks (1-2) were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and his 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Jrue Holiday totaled 21 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Khris Middleton accrued 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Bobby Portis led the bench with 11 points and eight rebounds. Brook Lopez also had 11 points.
Game 4 will be played in Milwaukee on Tuesday. A 2-2 series is nearly a coin flip in NBA history while a team up 3-1 has won over 90 percent of those series.