Giannis drops 41, Bucks rule Game 3 of NBA Finals

Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks to score for the Milwaukee Bucks during Game 3 of their NBA Finals clash against the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks tallied 120-100 to trim the series deficit to 1-2. AARON GASH/AP
Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks to score for the Milwaukee Bucks during Game 3 of their NBA Finals clash against the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks tallied 120-100 to trim the series deficit to 1-2. AARON GASH/AP

MANILA – The Milwaukee Bucks banked on a solid second-half rampage on Sunday night to rout the Phoenix Suns, 120-100, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 41 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, while Jrue Holiday drilled five triples to finish with 21 points, nine assists, and five rebounds for the Bucks, which scraped the series deficit to 1-2.

Khris Middleton tallied 18 points, including three triples, while Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis Jr. got 11 points each, as the Bucks played their first-ever NBA Finals game in Wisconsin in 47 years.  

”We knew what we had to do,” Holiday said in a post-match interview. ”We’ve been in this position before. We knew what this game meant to us and meant to the city.”

The Bucks rose to an 8-4 start on early hits by Antetokounmpo and Holiday. However, the Suns rallied to keep the match close and seize a 28-23 advantage.

Phoenix surged to 36-30 early in the second quarter, but inside baskets from Antetokounmpo and Lopez earned Milwaukee a 60-45 halftime lead.

The Suns kicked off the second half strong by closing the gap to 70-74 before the Bucks recorded a 16-0 scoring run behind Antetokounmpo, Holiday, Portis, and Pat Connaughton to post 98-76.

Milwaukee continued with its onslaught as the lead swelled to 101-76 at the onset of the fourth canto on Antetokounmpo’s basket. Phoenix attempted to even the score but only trimmed the deficit to 20 points.

”We knew what type of game it was going to be,” Antetokounmpo said after the match. ”We knew we had to come here, play good basketball, and compete as hard as possible.”

Chris Paul top-scored with 19 points to go with nine assists, while Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton added 18 markers apiece. Devin Booker added 10 points for the Suns.

BOX SCORE:

MILWAUKEE 120 – G. Antetokoumpo 41, Holiday 21, Middleton 18, Lopez 11, Portis 11, Connaughton 8, Tucker 7, Nwora 3, T. Antetokoumpo 0, Teague 0, Forbes 0, Merrill 0.

PHOENIX 100 – Paul 19, Crowder 18, Ayton 18, Johnson 14, Booker 10, Payne 7, Kaminsky 6, Bridges 4, Craig 2, Alexander 2, Nader 0.

QUARTERSCORES:

25-28; 60-45; 98-76; 12./PN

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here