With Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s availability up in the air heading into the NBA Finals, the Suns were considered the favorites to win the title. And even though Antetokounmpo was able to suit up for Games 1 and 2, Phoenix won both games, securing a 2-0 lead and further cementing the club’s position as the championship frontrunner.
Since then, however, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have stormed back. Milwaukee has won three consecutive games, including a pair that went down to the wire. And Giannis has led the way in those victories, averaging an eye-popping 33.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game on 60.0% shooting. The two-time MVP also delivered signature moments in the final minutes of Games 4 and 5, with an incredible blocked shot last Wednesday and an impressive alley-oop finish on Saturday.
While Antetokounmpo has been the driving force behind Milwaukee’s comeback, he’s gotten some help. Khris Middleton poured in 40 points in the Bucks’ Game 4 win and added 29 more in Game 5. Jrue Holiday, after shooting just 4-of-20 in Game 4, made 12-of-20 shots in Game 5, racking up 27 points and 13 assists to go along with a key late-game steal.
The Suns, meanwhile, have gotten up-and-down production from their stars during their three-game losing streak. Devin Booker scored just 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting in Game 3. He bounced back with 42 points in Game 4, but Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton combined for only 16 points on 8-of-22 shooting in that loss.
Booker (40 points), Paul (21 points, 11 assists), and Ayton (20 points, 10 rebounds) were firing on all cylinders in Game 5, but it wasn’t enough — the Suns shot .552/.684/.909, but didn’t play quite enough defense to pull out a win in their home arena.
Now the Suns find themselves in a tough spot tonight. They’ll have to head into Fiserv Forum, where the Bucks are 9-1 so far in the postseason, and find a way to force a Game 7. If a Game 7 is necessary, it’ll take place on Thursday in Phoenix, so the Suns could once again emerge as the favorites to take home the title. But for the time being, they’re significant underdogs, on the road facing a 3-2 deficit. The Bucks are favored by five points on Tuesday.
We want to know what you’re expecting to happen tonight. Will this be the last day of the 2020/21 NBA season, with the Bucks winning a fourth straight game and earning a championship? Or do the Suns have a little more life in them? Can they force a Game 7?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your predictions!
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Man, as a casual NBA fan in Wisconsin, I’m anxious as hell about this one, but the heart and drive they showed over the last 2 games has me confident that they’ll win it. They want it more and sometimes that’s the difference. I sure don’t want to see it go to 7!
50 years is a long time to wait for a championship after last winning one in 1971.
Although the Suns have been around 3 years longer than that without ever winning a title.
The Bucks need to keep riding the momentum they’ve built after falling behind 0-2, a loss tonight would swing things back in favor of Phoenix. PJ Tucker deserves to win a ring.
Kripes-Brewers They want it more??? Really what are you in the 6th grade with that huge generalization? Ridiculous
U think it’s ridiculous now? It was a battle until the end, and one team simply wanted it more. They left it all out there on the floor. Great series
Congrats to you and the city of Milwaukee.
Suns in 7
Bucks in 6
The team with more points at the end of the game!
My guess is that it will be either the Bucks or the Suns.
Thanks Cotton
Giannis will be Finals MVP tonight!!!
Unfortunately, the Bucks will win tonight. One of the more flawed teams to win a championship in recent memory.
More flawed than the Suns? At least the Bucks have an undisputed superstar on their roster.
Booker is obviously a great player, but he’s not a top-tier guy like Giannis is. Nor is CP3.
It’s been a great series. I’m rooting for Suns. I want to see another gm. Giannis has finally become the closer we’ve all been waiting for. This is the best I’ve ever seen him play. He’s by far the MVP so far. Chris you gotta go to Ayton. He will take the pressure of you and Booker. That’s what they need to do. If Bucks can win in Phoenix. Suns can win in Milwaukee. Just want to see another great gm. Big O and Lew Alcindor in the House.
Will enjoy seeing booker go home ringless. The hype media tries to invoke when taking about him is laughable. Paul is the catalyst for the suns and the main reason to there success. Once he leaves which I think he does if they lose so do the chance of suns winning another playoff series. Booker and ayton aren’t good enough to get through the west in a non-injury prone year.
now since i read that foster is refn, i’ll go with the bucks for the win at home.
JVG had a comment about that, suggesting dislike between Foster and CPaul.
Was CPaul always about pulling up and/or spinning for a jumper at the elbow? I don’t recall that prevalance, though there would be no reason to.
cp3’s career playoff record with scott is now 2-16. animosity, yes.
More Frank! Not Nitkina.
Chris Paul’s one and only real chance to get a ring was 3 years ago and he blew it.
Go ahead and re-sign him Phoenix, they’re not getting back to the Finals with CP3 at age 37.
was cp3 in the finals 3 years ago too?