NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns, Part 2 | Series tied at 2

[JDR720]

The Bucks issue in this series is they need the other players to step up, yet the other players play better without Giannis.

The Suns aren't inured or overachievers either, like the Nets and Hawks were.

I'd bench Lopez, start Portis. That opens up more space in the paint for Giannis and helps them switch on defense better.
I'd play Giannis at Center, he doesn't touch the ball outside of 15 feet. No 3's allowed.

[The_Hater]

the bucks have to shoot better and get Middleton to defend better . tough sledging after giannis playing full game yesterday.

Middleton had a few moments last game where he didn’t hustle back in transition at all. Quite often it was after one of his misses and he would argue with the ref or go guard the player who rebounded the carom in frustration instead of sprinting back.

The numbers don’t even tell half the story on how poorly he played game 2.

[ForeverTFC]

The Bucks issue in this series is they need the other players to step up, yet the other players play better without Giannis.

The Suns aren't inured or overachievers either, like the Nets and Hawks were.

I'd bench Lopez, start Portis. That opens up more space in the paint for Giannis and helps them switch on defense better.
I'd play Giannis at Center, he doesn't touch the ball outside of 15 feet. No 3's allowed.

I think this is a good approach but not sure if will work. His post moves are limited. He needs the ball at the top of the 3 for his patented straight line drive. That means he'll have to put up a couple 3s to try and keep the D at least a bit honest.

[The_Hater]

The Bucks issue in this series is they need the other players to step up, yet the other players play better without Giannis.

The Suns aren't inured or overachievers either, like the Nets and Hawks were.

I'd bench Lopez, start Portis. That opens up more space in the paint for Giannis and helps them switch on defense better.
I'd play Giannis at Center, he doesn't touch the ball outside of 15 feet. No 3's allowed.

That’s definitely one issue, but if the Suns don’t shoot 20/40 from the arc last game and shoot a more normal number like 15/40 or 16/40 which are still above average, the Bucks win.

[Ito]

Suns in 5

[Yeggo Poleggo]

Suns in 4.

Giannis is traded out and the Bucks become a more complete team next year.

[jredsaz]

How I've felt since I first read your Bucks in 7 comment.

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Well at least your hubris keeps you from realizing you don't make any sense.

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Going back to my original point, two losses by a combined 23 points and never having a lead in the second half of either game doesn't point to a Bucks in 7 finish - no matter how much you want it. It could happen, but to say it confidently while dismissing the outcome of the first two games is in fact nonsensical.

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[trickshot]

Bucks also have to get better defending as a unit. Thought that pass heavy possession Phoenix had showcased the best and worst of their defense. They were late to read nearly every pass in that sequence yet almost forced 2 blocks and a turnover at various points. Crazy athleticism and mobility. Would also consider ditching Lopez at halftime if he doesn't look much better in Milwaukee.

[Winsome Gerbil]

Well, if history in these playoffs are any guide, this will be the game where Middleton, for no apparent reason, will suddenly score 43pts and hit 6 threes, and the Bucks tough out a narrow win.

And if history is any guide it will also, of course, be a game where Jrue will continue to do nothing, but his supporters will defend him by noting he tied his shoes correctly.

[lilfishi22]

I expect the Bucks to take one in Milwaukee. If there is ever a game for Middleton to show up, it would be at home. It would take Milwaukee's non-Giannis players to play up to expectations and Phoenix to look less than stellar and in a 7 game series, you would expect there to be one of those games.

[cjx]

Bucks will win game 3, book it, folks! This is series will go at least 6.

[MrSparkle]

The Bucks’ issue is they smoked too much and overpaid for Jrue via trade after being part of one of the most head-scratching RFA (non-) deal in NBA history.

[jcsunsfan]

The Suns lose whatever game Scott Foster refs.

I wonder. Do the Bucks have a particular ref that they think has it out for them? Scott Foster HATES CP3.

[Sal85012]

The Suns lose whatever game Scott Foster refs.

I wonder. Do the Bucks have a particular ref that they think has it out for them? Scott Foster HATES CP3.

Yea hoping he only refs one game and its on the road to limit the effect.

[AussieBuck]

The Suns lose whatever game Scott Foster refs.

I wonder. Do the Bucks have a particular ref that they think has it out for them? Scott Foster HATES CP3.

Marc Davis has had a thing against the Bucks forever but we've overcome him a few times these playoffs prior to the finals.

[Hitachi77]

Everyone, including talking heads, constantly cherry picks stats. For example, if they made less threes, shot less FTs, etc. But everything is subject to the law of averages. Maybe the Suns will make less threes next game, but maybe they will shoot more FTs or have less TOs or rebound better etc. Maybe Middleton will play better, but Giannis will play a bit worse.

You can't just cherry pick one stat.

[Hitachi77]

That said, I expect the Bucks to take at least one in Milwaukee. They will be very tough. I really think Jrue and Middleton have to be dominant for them to win the series, but gotta take that will a grain of salt because I am a Suns fan. Hoping that doesn't happen and the Suns win in 5 or 6.

[DroseReturnChi]

The Bucks issue in this series is they need the other players to step up, yet the other players play better without Giannis.

The Suns aren't inured or overachievers either, like the Nets and Hawks were.

I'd bench Lopez, start Portis. That opens up more space in the paint for Giannis and helps them switch on defense better.
I'd play Giannis at Center, he doesn't touch the ball outside of 15 feet. No 3's allowed.

playing giannis center doesnt solve anything. it merely makes them close game 5pt +,-.

[Ill News]

Lots of posters here advocating that the Bucks need to go small with Giannis at the 5, but some analysts are saying that they actually need to double-down on playing big. The Bucks just don't have the small-ball personnel to punish the Suns; what they have going for them is that they're bigger, even more so with the loss of Saric and potentially Craig. The Bucks need to play a dirtier, more physical style of play, and slow the game down even more (think Game 3 of the Nets series).

In other words, they need to dictate games by playing to their strengths, not adjusting to what their opponents are throwing at them. I don't know if this will work, but it'll be interesting to see if they do this in Game 3.

[trickshot]

Lots of posters here advocating that the Bucks need to go small with Giannis at the 5, but some analysts are saying that they actually need to double-down on playing big. The Bucks just don't have the small-ball personnel to punish the Suns; what they have going for them is that they're bigger, even more so with the loss of Saric and potentially Craig. The Bucks need to play a dirtier, more physical style of play, and slow the game down even more (think Game 3 of the Nets series).

In other words, they need to dictate games by playing to their strengths, not adjusting to what their opponents are throwing at them. I don't know if this will work, but it'll be interesting to see if they do this in Game 3.

The analysts aren't totally wrong. If by halftime in game 3 Lopez hasn't started giving them the benefits of having a 7 footer they might as well downsize. He already doesn't help much on rotation and recovery which is true for most 5s but his interior defense has also been marginalised by Phoenix's arsenal of midrangers and floaters. His weaknesses have been more detrimental than his strengths so far because he's missing bunnies at the rim and gives the Suns an avenue to kickstart their offense every time the Bucks get close. The Lopez from games 1 and 2 isn't playing big. If it continues they have to reduce his minutes and face the reality of the matchup. The difference on defense when the Bucks downsized in game 1 was encouraging. If things don't improve they have to try it before going 3 down.