NBA Finals: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns, Part 3 | Bucks lead 3-2

[Raps in 4]

I'll admit I was wrong about the Bucks. I thought the Suns were the better team.

I never thought the Suns were that good. But I don't think the Bucks are a great team either.

The difference is Giannis. Hes gone up to a level I did not think he could.

Giannis is the most underrated superstar in the NBA.

[bwgood77]

No idea what will happen, but the Suns played like dog crap the entire game and led pretty much the entire game. Every player outside of Booker played terrible which is rare and 17 turnovers is very rare.

Booker also let his emotions get the best of him and had to sit with his 5th much of the 4th after Suns got a 9 pt lead which probably killed the Suns. When he came back in he was out of sorts and committed that dumb foul on Jrue.

As bad as they played, they shouldn't have won anyway, and with that Booker no call, and I didn't want to hear more about how that's the only reason they won.

Game 5 should be interesting but I expect them to come out strong and focused with the crowd behind him and likely take care of business, but we will see.

I am not usually the confident type of guy going into games (being a Suns and Chargers fan will do that to you) but I feel pretty good about this next one.

If they can take care of business, they have also been very good with close out games, going 3-0 in first chance close out games, all on the road, so I imagine they'd play tough in the next one too, though I think the Bucks would put up a bigger fight in a game 6 down 3-2 than the Suns other opponents did.

Anyway, it's been a great series and the Suns have gone a lot further than I ever would have expected when the season started. Even before the playoffs I was thinking a series win and a hard fought second series would be nice for this young team so it's all in all been a great Suns season regardless as far as I'm concerned. Of course it would be brutal losing the finals after being up 2-0 and probably having your best chance as tough as the West is with a lot of young teams getting better, and some teams coming back hungry after tough playoff losses, so hopefully they can take care of business. As a Suns fan, I'm really conditioned for disappointment and to not expect it, but it feels like our chances are decent here.

[Sedale Threatt]

Thought this felt like a pretty evenly-matched series if Giannis was healthy. As a non-involved viewer, just glad that was the case as I'm really, really enjoying the series. Work with a mega die-hard Suns fan who is absolutely dying right now, and I feel for him. These are the series you live for, but the constant swings of emotion and momentum are just brutal to live through as a fan.

[phanman]

Spoiler:

No idea what will happen, but the Suns played like dog crap the entire game and led pretty much the entire game. Every player outside of Booker played terrible which is rare and 17 turnovers is very rare.

Booker also let his emotions get the best of him and had to sit with his 5th much of the 4th after Suns got a 9 pt lead which probably killed the Suns. When he came back in he was out of sorts and committed that dumb foul on Jrue.

As bad as they played, they shouldn't have won anyway, and with that Booker no call, and I didn't want to hear more about how that's the only reason they won.

Game 5 should be interesting but I expect them to come out strong and focused with the crowd behind him and likely take care of business, but we will see.

I am not usually the confident type of guy going into games (being a Suns and Chargers fan will do that to you) but I feel pretty good about this next one.

If they can take care of business, they have also been very good with close out games, going 3-0 in first chance close out games, all on the road, so they I imagine they'd play tough in the next one too, though I think the Bucks would put up a bigger fight in a game 6 down 3-2 than the Suns other opponents did.

Anyway, it's been a great series and the Suns have gone a lot further than I ever would have expected when the season started. Even before the playoffs I was thinking a series win and a hard fought second series would be nice for this young team so it's all in all been a great Suns season regardless as far as I'm concerned. Of course it would be brutal losing the finals after being up 2-0 and probably having your best chance as tough as the West is with a lot of young teams getting better, and some teams coming back hungry after tough playoff losses, so hopefully they can take care of business. As a Suns fan, I'm really conditioned for disappointment and to not expect it, but it feels like our chances our decent here.

Bucks really just made some huge plays down the stretch on both ends of the floor. That Cam Johnson jumper put you guys up 95-90 with ~6mins to go but the Bucks ended the game on a 19-8 run (with a useless CP3 layup at the end) lowlighted by those two uncharacteristic CP turnovers.

Can't wait for G5. Saturday is just too long

[skones]

I just don't see how Milwaukee playing at home could change the series.

That's what I thought when I you said Bucks in 7.

Id, just like to clear my throat and tell the poster who said both of these things to kiss my ass.

What happened to that guy you were arguing with? I cant remember the poster. I just remember him saying he would be here

He's "here" but like not.

Good game and a terrible turnover by CP3 at the end. Suns still have home court.

[lakerz12]

No idea what will happen, but the Suns played like dog crap the entire game and led pretty much the entire game. Every player outside of Booker played terrible which is rare and 17 turnovers is very rare.

Booker also let his emotions get the best of him and had to sit with his 5th much of the 4th after Suns got a 9 pt lead which probably killed the Suns. When he came back in he was out of sorts and committed that dumb foul on Jrue.

As bad as they played, they shouldn't have won anyway, and with that Booker no call, and I didn't want to hear more about how that's the only reason they won.

Game 5 should be interesting but I expect them to come out strong and focused with the crowd behind him and likely take care of business, but we will see.

I am not usually the confident type of guy going into games (being a Suns and Chargers fan will do that to you) but I feel pretty good about this next one.

If they can take care of business, they have also been very good with close out games, going 3-0 in first chance close out games, all on the road, so I imagine they'd play tough in the next one too, though I think the Bucks would put up a bigger fight in a game 6 down 3-2 than the Suns other opponents did.

Anyway, it's been a great series and the Suns have gone a lot further than I ever would have expected when the season started. Even before the playoffs I was thinking a series win and a hard fought second series would be nice for this young team so it's all in all been a great Suns season regardless as far as I'm concerned. Of course it would be brutal losing the finals after being up 2-0 and probably having your best chance as tough as the West is with a lot of young teams getting better, and some teams coming back hungry after tough playoff losses, so hopefully they can take care of business. As a Suns fan, I'm really conditioned for disappointment and to not expect it, but it feels like our chances are decent here.

Suns shot 51.3% from the floor. Bucks shot 40.2%.

Jrue Holiday went 4 for 20, including multiple missed shots within 3 feet of the rim.

Lopez also went 0-5 from three, and they were open looks.

Point being, the Bucks shot the ball pretty poorly. It's not like they played well, offensively. If they start to make shots, it'll be tough for Phoenix to win, imo.

[cberry78]

Just some friendly reminders that:

- the last time the Suns lost 2 post-season games in a row they went on to win their next 9 games in a row

- This Suns team has only lost 3 games in a row once all year (way back in January)

- This Suns team hasn't lost 4 games in a row at all this year

- Every star player has a bad game once in a while

The Suns lost game 4 because of their own mistakes - they outshot the Bucks 51% to 40%, but gave the bucks an additional 19(!!!) possessions over the course of the game due to ORebs and TO's (the Bucks also had 10 more FT's, but still only managed to win by 6....on their home court)

[LightTheBeam]

Just some friendly reminders that:

- the last time the Suns lost 2 post-season games in a row they went on to win their next 9 games in a row

- This Suns team has only lost 3 games in a row once all year (way back in January)

- This Suns team hasn't lost 4 games in a row at all this year

- Every star player has a bad game once in a while

The Suns lost game 4 because of their own mistakes - they outshot the Bucks 51% to 40%, but gave the bucks an additional 19(!!!) possessions over the course of the game due to ORebs and TO's (the Bucks also had 10 more FT's, but still only managed to win by 6....on their home court)

All this seems pretty irrelevant. The Suns haven't played the Bucks 2/3/4 games in a row all season. This is completely different than the regular season not losing 4 games when you are playing teams like the Pelicans, Kings, Cavs, etc..

The Bucks lost game 2 by 10pts with Middleton and Jrue combining for 12-37 from the field and the Suns shooting 50% from 3 on their home court!

If anything the Bucks snuck out a win last night they shouldn't have. If Jrue goes 8-20 instead of 4-20, and Booker actually gets called for a foul they probably win by 15-20.

[LightTheBeam]

No idea what will happen, but the Suns played like dog crap the entire game and led pretty much the entire game. Every player outside of Booker played terrible which is rare and 17 turnovers is very rare.

Booker also let his emotions get the best of him and had to sit with his 5th much of the 4th after Suns got a 9 pt lead which probably killed the Suns. When he came back in he was out of sorts and committed that dumb foul on Jrue.

As bad as they played, they shouldn't have won anyway, and with that Booker no call, and I didn't want to hear more about how that's the only reason they won.

Game 5 should be interesting but I expect them to come out strong and focused with the crowd behind him and likely take care of business, but we will see.

I am not usually the confident type of guy going into games (being a Suns and Chargers fan will do that to you) but I feel pretty good about this next one.

If they can take care of business, they have also been very good with close out games, going 3-0 in first chance close out games, all on the road, so I imagine they'd play tough in the next one too, though I think the Bucks would put up a bigger fight in a game 6 down 3-2 than the Suns other opponents did.

Anyway, it's been a great series and the Suns have gone a lot further than I ever would have expected when the season started. Even before the playoffs I was thinking a series win and a hard fought second series would be nice for this young team so it's all in all been a great Suns season regardless as far as I'm concerned. Of course it would be brutal losing the finals after being up 2-0 and probably having your best chance as tough as the West is with a lot of young teams getting better, and some teams coming back hungry after tough playoff losses, so hopefully they can take care of business. As a Suns fan, I'm really conditioned for disappointment and to not expect it, but it feels like our chances are decent here.

I thought Cam Johnson played pretty good. It seemed like the Suns went away from whats been working (ball movement/getting others involved) and switched to iso Booker which didn't really make sense even if he was on fire.

Either way its been a tremendous series! I figured this one would go the distance (even bet it would after it looks grim for Bucks after game 2). This finals has been a joy to watch compared to the last 10.

[bwgood77]

No idea what will happen, but the Suns played like dog crap the entire game and led pretty much the entire game. Every player outside of Booker played terrible which is rare and 17 turnovers is very rare.

Booker also let his emotions get the best of him and had to sit with his 5th much of the 4th after Suns got a 9 pt lead which probably killed the Suns. When he came back in he was out of sorts and committed that dumb foul on Jrue.

As bad as they played, they shouldn't have won anyway, and with that Booker no call, and I didn't want to hear more about how that's the only reason they won.

Game 5 should be interesting but I expect them to come out strong and focused with the crowd behind him and likely take care of business, but we will see.

I am not usually the confident type of guy going into games (being a Suns and Chargers fan will do that to you) but I feel pretty good about this next one.

If they can take care of business, they have also been very good with close out games, going 3-0 in first chance close out games, all on the road, so I imagine they'd play tough in the next one too, though I think the Bucks would put up a bigger fight in a game 6 down 3-2 than the Suns other opponents did.

Anyway, it's been a great series and the Suns have gone a lot further than I ever would have expected when the season started. Even before the playoffs I was thinking a series win and a hard fought second series would be nice for this young team so it's all in all been a great Suns season regardless as far as I'm concerned. Of course it would be brutal losing the finals after being up 2-0 and probably having your best chance as tough as the West is with a lot of young teams getting better, and some teams coming back hungry after tough playoff losses, so hopefully they can take care of business. As a Suns fan, I'm really conditioned for disappointment and to not expect it, but it feels like our chances are decent here.

Suns shot 51.3% from the floor. Bucks shot 40.2%.

Jrue Holiday went 4 for 20, including multiple missed shots within 3 feet of the rim.

Lopez also went 0-5 from three, and they were open looks.

Point being, the Bucks shot the ball pretty poorly. It's not like they played well, offensively. If they start to make shots, it'll be tough for Phoenix to win, imo.

They also got 19 more shots, in large part due to 17 turnovers by the Suns, which I doubt happens again. Even if you are shooting 19 shots (they were obviously not all 2s, but lets say they were) at 40% that is over 15 pts.

They also allowed a ton of offensive boards, like 17. Now they also have in a couple other games, but I think the Suns will focus on crashing the glass with more than just Ayton because the second chance opportunities kill them as well.

What is amazing is they got 19 more shots even though they got 10 more free throws, hitting 83% of them...that's over 8 more points. Now I expect the FT discrepancy to stay similar, but maybe the % to go down some.

But no way should the Bucks continue to get 19 more shots especially if they continue to get more trips to the line.

Even if the Bucks only got 14 or 15 more shots, they likely lose.

[Slim Charless]

I just don't see how Milwaukee playing at home could change the series.

That's what I thought when I you said Bucks in 7.

Id, just like to clear my throat and tell the poster who said both of these things to kiss my ass.

What happened to that guy you were arguing with? I cant remember the poster. I just remember him saying he would be here

He's "here" but like not.

Good game and a terrible turnover by CP3 at the end. Suns still have home court.

I've been here the whole time ladies. Check the GT. I was there at the beginning and at the end (congratulating your team btw). During the actual game I was at beach bar (I'm in Hawaii currently) watching the game.

Congrats again. You squeaked by with everyone not named Devin Booker having a terrible game. Still, you won. Now back to Phoenix we go.

[Infinite Llamas]

I’m just here for the Scott Foster/Chris Paul redemption arc in game 7

[bwgood77]

Just some friendly reminders that:

- the last time the Suns lost 2 post-season games in a row they went on to win their next 9 games in a row

- This Suns team has only lost 3 games in a row once all year (way back in January)

- This Suns team hasn't lost 4 games in a row at all this year

- Every star player has a bad game once in a while

The Suns lost game 4 because of their own mistakes - they outshot the Bucks 51% to 40%, but gave the bucks an additional 19(!!!) possessions over the course of the game due to ORebs and TO's (the Bucks also had 10 more FT's, but still only managed to win by 6....on their home court)

All this seems pretty irrelevant. The Suns haven't played the Bucks 2/3/4 games in a row all season. This is completely different than the regular season not losing 4 games when you are playing teams like the Pelicans, Kings, Cavs, etc..

The Bucks lost game 2 by 10pts with Middleton and Jrue combining for 12-37 from the field and the Suns shooting 50% from 3 on their home court!

If anything the Bucks snuck out a win last night they shouldn't have. If Jrue goes 8-20 instead of 4-20, and Booker actually gets called for a foul they probably win by 15-20.

Well, the Bucks may have been better in the last couple of years (and the Suns worse) and the Suns never lost to them even twice in a row. In fact they only lost to them 1 time in 6 games.

But maybe the Bucks do beat them or destroy them and everyone shoots well for once. I don't really expect Middleton to go for 40 again but who knows?

[bwgood77]

I’m just here for the Scott Foster/Chris Paul redemption arc in game 7

Yeah, Suns fans are looking forward to that.

[cberry78]

Just some friendly reminders that:

- the last time the Suns lost 2 post-season games in a row they went on to win their next 9 games in a row

- This Suns team has only lost 3 games in a row once all year (way back in January)

- This Suns team hasn't lost 4 games in a row at all this year

- Every star player has a bad game once in a while

The Suns lost game 4 because of their own mistakes - they outshot the Bucks 51% to 40%, but gave the bucks an additional 19(!!!) possessions over the course of the game due to ORebs and TO's (the Bucks also had 10 more FT's, but still only managed to win by 6....on their home court)

All this seems pretty irrelevant. The Suns haven't played the Bucks 2/3/4 games in a row all season. This is completely different than the regular season not losing 4 games when you are playing teams like the Pelicans, Kings, Cavs, etc..

The Bucks lost game 2 by 10pts with Middleton and Jrue combining for 12-37 from the field and the Suns shooting 50% from 3 on their home court!

If anything the Bucks snuck out a win last night they shouldn't have. If Jrue goes 8-20 instead of 4-20, and Booker actually gets called for a foul they probably win by 15-20.

I wasn't talking about fouls not being called, but since you brought it up.....that was a bad call on Booker at the end, while he did get all ball (or at least his hand was on top of the possession), he did hit the body, that could have been a foul. But how many times did Giannis or Middleton or Holiday or Tucker hit the shooter in the act of shooting that wasn't called? Pretty sure the average over the course of the game was +2 per player....yeah contact happens, but if the entire league plays with the understanding that you can't hit the shooter in the act of shooting, then they should call all of it, not just the ones they want to.

[LightTheBeam]

Just some friendly reminders that:

- the last time the Suns lost 2 post-season games in a row they went on to win their next 9 games in a row

- This Suns team has only lost 3 games in a row once all year (way back in January)

- This Suns team hasn't lost 4 games in a row at all this year

- Every star player has a bad game once in a while

The Suns lost game 4 because of their own mistakes - they outshot the Bucks 51% to 40%, but gave the bucks an additional 19(!!!) possessions over the course of the game due to ORebs and TO's (the Bucks also had 10 more FT's, but still only managed to win by 6....on their home court)

All this seems pretty irrelevant. The Suns haven't played the Bucks 2/3/4 games in a row all season. This is completely different than the regular season not losing 4 games when you are playing teams like the Pelicans, Kings, Cavs, etc..

The Bucks lost game 2 by 10pts with Middleton and Jrue combining for 12-37 from the field and the Suns shooting 50% from 3 on their home court!

If anything the Bucks snuck out a win last night they shouldn't have. If Jrue goes 8-20 instead of 4-20, and Booker actually gets called for a foul they probably win by 15-20.

Well, the Bucks may have been better in the last couple of years (and the Suns worse) and the Suns never lost to them even twice in a row. In fact they only lost to them 1 time in 6 games.

But maybe the Bucks do beat them or destroy them and everyone shoots well for once. I don't really expect Middleton to go for 40 again but who knows?

But a playoff series is completely different. Its a chess match where teams are preparing to face each other and constantly making adjustments. I don't think anything other than what's happened the last 4 games gives us any insight on what to expect.

I wouldn't expect Middleton to go for 40, but I also wouldn't expect Jrue to go 4-20, Giannis to only get 26, Booker to shoot 70% and go for 40 (finished 61% but he missed a few shots that had no bearing).

Both teams had a bright spot, and some negatives. I think Giannis is the best player, and Phx has the better team. Either way this has been a joy to watch!

[Antinomy]

Just some friendly reminders that:

- the last time the Suns lost 2 post-season games in a row they went on to win their next 9 games in a row

- This Suns team has only lost 3 games in a row once all year (way back in January)

- This Suns team hasn't lost 4 games in a row at all this year

- Every star player has a bad game once in a while

The Suns lost game 4 because of their own mistakes - they outshot the Bucks 51% to 40%, but gave the bucks an additional 19(!!!) possessions over the course of the game due to ORebs and TO's (the Bucks also had 10 more FT's, but still only managed to win by 6....on their home court)

You sound just like us Bucks fans in 2019.

- That team didn’t lose two games in a row all year

- Didn’t lose to any team more than once

- Never had a 3 game losing streak

- Had a winning record vs every team (except the Suns ironically)

- Had the most double digit victories of any team (only teams close were 2016 GSW, 96 Bulls, etc)

- Yada yada

Then proceeded to get backdoor swept by the Raptors.

That stuff is ultimately irrelevant this deep in the season. Regular season, you can struggle for a game or two then then get back on track vs the Kings or Magic. The margin for error is much tighter in the postseason.

Suns don’t strike me as a team that can consistently win ugly games. They simply don’t get enough easy baskets of extra opportunities.

[MoneyInDaBank07]

Just some friendly reminders that:

- the last time the Suns lost 2 post-season games in a row they went on to win their next 9 games in a row

- This Suns team has only lost 3 games in a row once all year (way back in January)

- This Suns team hasn't lost 4 games in a row at all this year

- Every star player has a bad game once in a while

The Suns lost game 4 because of their own mistakes - they outshot the Bucks 51% to 40%, but gave the bucks an additional 19(!!!) possessions over the course of the game due to ORebs and TO's (the Bucks also had 10 more FT's, but still only managed to win by 6....on their home court)

All this seems pretty irrelevant. The Suns haven't played the Bucks 2/3/4 games in a row all season. This is completely different than the regular season not losing 4 games when you are playing teams like the Pelicans, Kings, Cavs, etc..

The Bucks lost game 2 by 10pts with Middleton and Jrue combining for 12-37 from the field and the Suns shooting 50% from 3 on their home court!

If anything the Bucks snuck out a win last night they shouldn't have. If Jrue goes 8-20 instead of 4-20, and Booker actually gets called for a foul they probably win by 15-20.

Well, the Bucks may have been better in the last couple of years (and the Suns worse) and the Suns never lost to them even twice in a row. In fact they only lost to them 1 time in 6 games.

But maybe the Bucks do beat them or destroy them and everyone shoots well for once. I don't really expect Middleton to go for 40 again but who knows?

I don't think regular season prior results of any kind are relevant at this point.

I also don't think many of us expect Booker to explode for 40 again either. The inconsistencies from game-to-game for most of the players on both sides (outside Giannis?) has been pretty incredible.

[BigO]

Chris Paul looks either injured or mentally shot.

Suns will not win unless he plays like a Superstar. How much does he have left?

I believe his tank is getting closer to empty. He's having to play nearly 40 minutes per game and during the regular season that wasn't the case. After every couple of games he would play roughly 20mins and thst can't be the case in the postseason. I expect him have note energy and perform better in game five.

Sent from my SM-N975U using RealGM mobile app

I think his role for the rest of the series will to be to not turn it over, and manage the offense. The Suns have enough players to score with how they move the ball, and cut to open spaces to create shots.

Holiday has worn him down considerably. Seems like Bud just told Holiday this series to literally go beat the **** out of CP3 and not worry about his offense.

And to Bud's credit, its worked to perfection.

One thing people don't want to admit: Bud has outcoached Monty by a mile. Hes coached circles around him in these Finals.

Credit to Bud.

Bucks fan here. Can't disagree more with your coaching analysis. The Bucks, in my opinion, have the much better starting five. More experienced and better defensive personnel, which makes up for the coaching.

Despite the Bucks defensive talent, the Suns are shooting 50% or close to it in most of the games. That's bad defense. The Suns aren't that good a shooting team.
Bud played the drop defense all year with a little switching. He is now, out of necessity, switching all the time, because he only knows two defenses. He's not a great x's and o's guy and is slow to adapt.

There's not many games where the Suns will have 17 turnovers, which really is the story of the game.

Listen to the Lowe Report from last night. They had on the Nuggets coach, plus Brian Windhorst. BW pointed out that the Bucks have a horrible half court offense that is always disorganized. The Suns are much more organized. However, when the Bucks run, which they did yesterday, they can still win.

I'd take Monte ahead of Bud every day. But I'd take the Bucks starting five.

I will give Bud credit, even though it's kind of obvious, for having Jrue stay on top of Paul full court. It's had an effect.

[Frank Lee]

Going to bet the league takes a hard look at moving screens this off season.

Is this legal, or just subtle enough to fly? Not a rules expert here.

https://gfycat.com/slowbogusargentineruddyduck

Ayton usually gets whistled at least once a game. Not sure if any were called last night. Add it to the ‘wtf refs?’ list. Wacky game, whistle wise. Hate to see it become the narrative of what otherwise was a good game to watch, emotions aside.