The two teams from the 2021 NBA Finals will squared off once again in part of the NBA Sunday slate of action. The Phoenix Suns (51-13) traveled to Fiserv Forum to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks (40-25) without either Chris Paul or Devin Booker and came up short with the defending champions winning with 132-122 being the final score.
After 19 lead changes and 12 ties, the Bucks used a 41-point fourth quarter to finally gain separation from the short-handed Suns team who were playing without Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Cameron Johnson. It was Khris Middleton (16) and Jrue Holiday (17) who led the way down the stretch as they combined for 33 points in the fourth quarter.
With the focus of the Suns’ defense being to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton stepped up in a major way with 44 points, eight rebounds, and five assists on the night. Holiday was pivotal in his own right with 24 points, nine assists, and four steals with plenty of key defensive plays that did not show up in the box score.
Both teams were hot from beyond the arc in this game, with the Phoenix Suns shooting 14/31 (45.2%) and Bucks going 15/32 (46.9%) on their attempts. In need of a balanced scoring effort with Chris Paul and Devin Booker sidelined, Deandre Ayton (30), Cameron Payne (23), Jae Crowder (19), Landry Shamet (17), and Mikal Bridges (14) each scored in double-figures. The Bucks just were too much to handle.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Suns vs Bucks Sunday: Lineups, Injury Reports & Broadcast Info
Giannis Antetokounmpo did not have a huge game in this own, but he has continued to raise his game this season for the Milwaukee Bucks, and particularly as of late as the stretch-run of the season plays out. He was averaging 29.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists entering Sunday’s game. He remains a key dark-horse MVP candidate with the Bucks racking up more and more wins.
The focus for the Phoenix Suns is simple; get healthy for the playoffs and try to get wins when possible. The struggles of the Golden State Warriors has reduced the threat the Suns face of moving down in the standings while they wait for Chris Paul to heal. Again, the team has dealt with Devin Booker being sidelined due to an inconclusive COVID-19 test, but he should be back in their next outing.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Suns vs Bucks Sunday: Lineups, Injury Reports & Broadcast Info
The Eastern Conference playoff race is heating up and the Bucks, who were riding a three-game winning streak entering Sunday’s game extended it to four and are very much in the mix. Only due to not having the tie breaker with the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee ranks third in the standings and have a genuine outlook to potentially finish anywhere from first to even fifth or sixth if injuries were to occur.
The Milwaukee Bucks managed to take down the Chicago Bulls their previous outing leading into Sunday’s game using an incredible performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished the game with 34 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists. His star teammates, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, each combined for 48 points. Taking down the Phoenix Suns was more of the same for the defending NBA champions.
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