NBA Finals; Suns – Bucks Game 3 Recap

Dantre Cole 7/11/21

NBA Finals; Suns – Bucks Game 3 Recap

Photo via NBA Analysis Network

With the series headed back to Milwaukee for game 3 of the NBA Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks picked up a huge 100-120 win over the Phoenix Suns on their home court to avoid going down 0-3 during the NBA Finals. The win on their home court does not come surprising, as Milwaukee has only 1 loss on their home court throughout these 2021 NBA Playoffs. Here are some key points that led to the Bucks picking up the game 3 win over the Suns.

Bucks better ball movement; Coach Bud adjustments

Throughout game 3, it was very noticeable that the Bucks came out more aggressive and moved the ball amongst each other better than they had in the previous 2 games down in Phoenix. During game 2, the Bucks finished with a team total of 28 assists, compared to the game 3 when they only had a total of 21 team assists. The Bucks won the assist matchup against the Suns as Phoenix only finished with a total of 21 assists. The Bucks also only had 9 total team turnovers compared to the Suns 14 total team turnovers. Milwaukee was moving the basketball well last night, and it showed in the end as the Bucks picked up the win. Another key point from the game 3 win for the Bucks was coach Bud’s in game adjustments that he did not make in Phoenix. 1 key adjustment that coach Bud made was putting the bigger, more physical guard in Jrue Holiday to guard Chris Paul. Holiday did an excellent job of guarding Chris Paul, as Paul finished the game with 19 points, 9 assists, 4 turnovers, and a +/- of -13. Holiday did a good job at guarding Paul, who had the upper hand on Holiday in games 1 & 2, and this should be the move for coach Bud going forward in the series.

Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday step up big

During games 1 & 2 in Phoenix, both Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton struggled big time, leaving Giannis with virtually no help and an 0-2 deficit heading back home for game 3. Both Middleton and Jrue Holiday stepped up in big ways during the game 3 win to help the 2x MVP Giannis out. Let us start with Khris Middleton. Throughout the game 3 win, Middleton played great defense and finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists with a +/- of +8, which is exceptionally good. As mentioned earlier, Jrue Holiday did a great job guarding Chris Paul, and he finished the game shooting a very efficient 8-14 from the field (5-10 from 3-point range) with 21 points, 9 assists, and a +/- of +22, which was a game high. Of Holiday’s 21 points, many of them came in the 3rd quarter when the Bucks went on a key 16-0 run to begin to close out game 3. Although Giannis dominated for most of game 3, the game could have had a different outcome had Middleton and Holiday not stepped up.

Giannis Dominant once again

Photo via Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports

Giannis went off in the game 3 win in another 40-point performance, finishing the game with 41 points (14-23 from the field), 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. Another key point to Giannis dominating the game was the fact that he was hitting his free throws, finishing the game going 13-17 from the line. The home court advantage could have had something to do with Giannis shooting like this from the line, as he does not have the loud Phoenix crowd counting down how many seconds he spends at the free throw line. If Giannis continues to dominate like he did in game 3, it will be hard for Phoenix to rebound from this loss and continue to hold the lead in the series.

Ayton fast start/foul trouble; Booker shooting struggles

Suns center Deandre Ayton got off to a fast start in game 3 before having to sit on the bench due to foul trouble. Phoenix is already down a big body with the injury of Dario Saric, and with Milwaukee being the more physical, older & bigger team, Phoenix needs all the size they can get. With Ayton getting off to a fast start in game 3, things were looking like Phoenix would run away with the win and go up 3-0 in the series before the foul trouble. Ayton finished the game with 18 points and 9 rebounds on a very efficient 8-11 shooting from the field but finished the game with 5 personal fouls and only played 24:23 seconds due to the foul trouble. Had Ayton not gotten into foul trouble, the game and momentum of the series could have gone a completely different way. While Giannis dominated game 3, the Suns superstar on the other hand had his worse game throughout these 2021 NBA Playoffs. Devin Booker finished the game 3 loss with a total of 10 points, shooting 3-14 from the field. Head coach Monty Williams did not play Booker in the 4th quarter of the game. If Booker continues to play like this while Giannis dominates for his team, the Suns will have no chance at winning this series. Booker is such a key part to the Suns success, and they need him to contribute in a major way for the remainder of the series, more than anybody else on the team. Time to buckle up for game 4, as this series is just now heating up.