MANILA – The Milwaukee Bucks are one win away from seizing the NBA Finals crown following their Game 5 win against the Phoenix Suns, 123-119, on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Giannis Antetokounmpo spearheaded the Bucks’ with his 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Khris Middleton drilled three outside baskets and added 29 markers.
Jrue Holiday made his presence felt with his double-double of 27 points and 13 assists, while Pat Connaughton posted 14 points, including four outside hits, for the Bucks.
The victory pushed the Bucks to a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series. Milwaukee will try to clinch their first NBA championship since 1971 in Game 6 on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines).
“We kept our composure, we kept fighting. This is the NBA Finals, so you got to give everything you got. And that’s what the team did (in Game 5),” Antetokounmpo said in a post-match interview.
Down by 16 points at 37-21 in the second quarter, the Bucks slowly clawed their way back behind Holiday and Antetokounmpo to reap a 64-61 halftime lead.
Milwaukee continued their uprising in the third canto behind Middleton and Holiday to score 85-75. Baskets from Connaughton and Antetokounmpo stretched the gap further to 96-83.
The Bucks maintained the double-digit spread at 113-102 on inside hits by Antetokounmpo. However, the Suns rallied behind Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Mikal Bridges to scrape the deficit to 119-120.
The Suns got a chance to rule the game, but Booker turned the ball over, which led to a three-point play by Antetokounmpo to ensure the victory for the Bucks.
Booker bannered the Suns’ offense with 40 points, Paul added a double-double of 21 points and 11 assists, while Deandre Ayton recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds.
BOX SCORE:
MILWAUKEE 123 – G. Antetokounmpo 32, Middleton 29, Holiday 27, Connaughton 14, Lopez 9, Portis 9, Tucker 3, Teague 0.
PHOENIX 119 – Booker 40, Paul 21, Ayton 20, Bridges 13, Crowder 10, Johnson 6, Payne 6, Craig 3.
QUARTERSCORES:
21-37; 64-61; 100-90; 123-119./PN
