Two days off. A change of venue. It’s Game 3 of the 2021 NBA Finals from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Can Milwaukee get back into this series? Can Phoenix keep the “Suns in Four” hopes alive by getting a win on the road?
Here are 24 thoughts on Game 3 as it unfolded in Milwaukee on Sunday night …
1 — Is being back home the answer for the Bucks? They are 7-1 at home and two key players — Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday — have played much better at Fiserv Forum this postseason. The Bucks’ season isn’t technically on the line since this isn’t an elimination game, but this is as close to a must win as you can get. As a reminder, no team has ever overcome an 0-3 deficit in the history of the NBA playoffs.
The Bucks have taken it up a notch at home this postseason.@malika_andrews joins @CassidyHubbarth on #HoopStreams to break down what home court means to Milwaukee and also chats with Giannis Antetokounmpo to talk about his leadership. pic.twitter.com/6igkXeo9Zf
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 12, 2021
2 — Giannis setting up his teammates early — assists on Milwaukee’s first two baskets, including the opening bucket of the game — a corner 3 by Jrue Holiday, who the Bucks need to get going in this series.
3 — Giannis getting his points as well — grabs the offensive rebound over Devin Booker, gets the putback, and-1. A few Suns fans in attendance counted during Giannis’ free-throw attempts, but it was drowned out by cheers as Giannis knocks it down.
Giannis gets on the glass for the And-1 early in Game 3 on ABC! 😤#NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV pic.twitter.com/kTboMoBNfY
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
4 — After making that free throw, Giannis signals to the bench to be subbed out just 3 1/2 minutes into the game. No doctors come to him on bench, just a quick trip into the tunnel, seems to be okay. Bucks fans can exhale.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has checked out of the game three minutes in and has walked back into the hallway heading back to Milwaukee’s locker room and back out to the bench. Appears he’s fine, though.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 12, 2021
5 — Deandre Ayton with a strong start for the Suns with a quick six points, two boards and steal in the game’s first six minutes.
CP3 finds Ayton rolling for the flush. 💥@Suns 14@Bucks 15#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/iB6cCGi3UC
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
Ayton with a jump hook over Connaughton – up to 8 points
Ayton has Holiday defending him, pinned him in the paint and got an easy layup — he’s got 10 of Phoenix’s 18 points
Monty Williams’ Game 2 counsel for Deandre Ayton is still sparking him in Game 3.
Suns zipping the ball around and up five late in the first.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 12, 2021
deandre ayton go for 60
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) July 12, 2021
6 — Another ball movement clinic from Phoenix leads to a Jae Crowder 3-pointer. The Suns have six assists and are shooting 63% to start the game. Strong start on the road.
Swing.
Swing.
Swing.
Sidestep.
Swish.Cam to Cam to Book to Jae for 3 on ABC! #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/PzoYNOOU08
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
7 — I mean if Chance the Rapper is going to show up to any game during The Finals it makes sense for it to be Game 3. Match the hat with the game ticket.
.@chancetherapper is in the crowd for Game 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/fLyC7w6tH5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 12, 2021
8 — Suns lead 28-25 at the end of the first quarter. The Suns are 12-1 this postseason when either tied or leading after 1st quarter; 3-2 when trailing. And they’ve done it with Devin Booker shooting just 1-for-7.
Deandre Ayton in the 1st quarter:
12 PTS
6-7 FGM@Suns up 28-25 in Game 3 of the #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV on ABC! pic.twitter.com/TvVSUhJ34K— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
9 — Bucks force back-to-back turnovers to open the second quarter and take a 30-28 lead as Middleton gets to the basket for the layup and-1, earns his first trip to the free throw line for the series with 11 minutes left in the second quarter of Game 3.
10 — Nice pick and roll by Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton as Paul reads the trap and gets Ayton a dunk. After Jeff Van Gundy quoted JAY-Z in Game 2, he’s now quoting Russian poet Joseph Brodsky in Game 3 when discussion pick-and-roll defense.
Was not expecting Jeff Van Gundy to bring up Joseph Brodsky while discussing pick-and-roll schemes pic.twitter.com/Mn9yQqsHy1
— Harry Siegel (@harrysiegel) July 12, 2021
Speaking of Ayton, who is having a great first half, have to five a shout out on this jacket choice.
💪😤 https://t.co/bXgLj8BEUe pic.twitter.com/D99RJb2kEU
— The Jump on ESPN (@NBATheJump) July 12, 2021
11 — PJ Tucker has made a few great hustle plays in the first half, including this one as he rebounds the Brook Lopez airball and finds a cutting Giannis for the huge dunk to force a Suns timeout.
Giannis with AUTHORITY 💥 pic.twitter.com/yAJJnrBQoL
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 12, 2021
12 — The Bucks are rolling in the second quarter, they’re on a 20-6 run to take an eight-point lead and force another Suns timeout.
Giannis coming through 💪
20-6 run for Milwaukee! pic.twitter.com/XJVw1OU68k
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 12, 2021
Giannis in Game 2 and Game 3 is basically telling us to bring in the construction crew, blow the roof out and raise whatever we thought his ceiling was. This is ridiculous ridiculous stuff.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 12, 2021
13 — The “Bob-by, Bob-by, Bob-by” chants have broken out in Fiserv Forum as Bobby Portis increase the Bucks lead to 10 with a dunk, then to 13 with a triple.
Jrue behind the back.
Middleton drop-off.
Portis slam.FISERV FORUM IS ROCKING. #ThatsGame #NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/DIxayTSDUE
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
Bobby Portis finishes off a sweet Bucks sequence 👀 pic.twitter.com/KOwdJxGeC0
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 12, 2021
14 — The Bucks finish the half on a 30-9 run to take a 15-point lead into the locker rooms. It’s been a while since the Suns have trailed by 15.
These final few minutes of the first half have been the difference in both Games 1 and 2. Phoenix made a big push and put the game away both times. Bucks are trying to do the same thing in reverse here in Game 3.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 12, 2021
This end-to-end sequence highlights a 30-9 @Bucks run to close the 1st half on ABC! 🔥 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/F9IRC0I9iV
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
Bucks lead it 60-45 at the half 👀 pic.twitter.com/lYftHRNHRC
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 12, 2021
Khris Middleton has put up more points in the 1st half tonight (15) than he did in all of Game 2 (11).
The Bucks outscored the Suns 34-5 on uncontested FG in the 1st half. The Bucks also had twice as many assists in the 1st half than the Suns (18 to 9). pic.twitter.com/BwTvD9sjly
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 12, 2021
Suns had gone 171 minutes, 32 seconds without trailing by 15 points or more, until the Bucks got there late in the first half tonight.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 12, 2021
15 — After the Suns score the first four points of the half, Deandre Ayton picks up his fourth foul and heads to the bench. The Suns go small with Cam Johnson replacing Ayton, show some zone defense.
16 — CAM JOHNSON DUNK ON PJ TUCKER … WOW!
Cam Johnson with a head of steam, gets the pass and elevates as Tucker tries to establish position for the charge. It’s called a block, but Milwaukee challenges the call.
🤯 CAM JOHNSON, OH MY 🤯#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/cpis0EEVn4
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
all this challenge is doing is giving the refs the pleasure of watching that dunk over and over.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) July 12, 2021
If that’s a charge the block/charge rule must be abolished.
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) July 12, 2021
NBA Twitter will count that dunk forever no matter what the review says. https://t.co/H5xcxQacwk
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 12, 2021
I can’t believe Mark Jackson didn’t go with “mama, there goes that Cam”
— Isaac K. Lee (@IsaacKLee) July 12, 2021
The call stands.
17 — Suns are making a run to get back into this. They scored seven straight to cut the lead to six (69-63), but Jrue Holiday answered with a three. In Game 2, the Suns had an answer for every Bucks run. Can the Bucks do the same here and hold off a Suns rally?
Cam Johnson with the finesse this time.. he’s got 10 quick in the 3Q.@Suns 70@Bucks 74#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/CIslwVJqL6
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
Cam Johnson turning into Dr J right in front of our eyes
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) July 12, 2021
18 — A big downside of going small and playing zone, the Suns are getting eaten alive by the Bucks on the offensive glass.
Second chance points tonight
Milwaukee: 17
Phoenix: Jack— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) July 12, 2021
19 — Timeout in the game = check Twitter for more angles of that Cam Johnson dunk
💥 CAM’S SLAM from EVERY ANGLE 💥#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/v8i86fI1xR
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
Art 🖼 pic.twitter.com/3J8yE8eqTC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 12, 2021
20 — Milwaukee rims are doing their job tonight — Giannis is sinking free throws (9-for-12) and Booker still can’t buy a bucket (3-14 FGs)
Giannis with another putback bucket for Milwaukee, grabs his own miss, hits the layup, plus the foul, and of course, sinks the free throw. Bucks up 16, their largest lead of the series.
GIANNIS NEVER GAVE UP 😤 pic.twitter.com/Rz4zTN6iA1
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2021
The Bucks arena when Giannis is shooting free throws pic.twitter.com/DJCmDbCbK0
— #RingerNBA (@ringernba) July 12, 2021
how Bucks fans should count while Giannis is at the free throw line pic.twitter.com/ua4H7q3s9F
— Isaac K. Lee (@IsaacKLee) July 12, 2021
The Giannis countdown doesn’t stop just because they’re back in Milwaukee 😂
(via @Sportsnet)pic.twitter.com/R0plbfjgpg
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 12, 2021
21 — The Suns shot 12-for-19 from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers in the third quarter, but saw their deficit increase from 15 points to 22 points as the Bucks close the third on a 16-0 run.
“Connaughton for 3.. BANG!” to cap a 16-0 quarter-closing @Bucks run! 🔥#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/PNsrutSTcr
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
16 in the quarter.
34 in the game.
The. Greek. Freak.#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/rsFsHbZOde— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
Giannis, Jrue, and Khris have scored or assisted on 96 of Milwaukee’s 98 points through 3 quarters.
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) July 12, 2021
🔥 Giannis’ 3Q: 16 points (4-5 FGM)
🔥 Jrue’s 3Q: 12 points (4-5 3PM)@Bucks in control entering the 4Q on ABC. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/X9nJMWpHoi— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
Giannis with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists through three quarters. He joins some elite company with that feat.
ELITE company for Giannis 😳 pic.twitter.com/IxCwtgswEy
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2021
22 — Chris Paul with the crossover on Giannis and hits the fade-away jumper over Giannis outstretched arm. Incredible play, but it won’t be enough tonight. “Suns in Four” had a great run, but it’s not going to happen this time around.
Chris Paul’s handles are unreal 🧊#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/D3acP8XDRV
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
chris paul should get eight or nine points for that shot he just hit
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) July 12, 2021
23 — Giannis now has back-to-back Finals games with 40+ points and 10+ rebounds, joining Shaq as the only players to accomplish that feat in The Finals. Also first time for Giannis in his career (regular season or playoffs). The game is essentially over at this point, all that’s left to be determined is the final score.
Giannis now has back-to-back 40-point games for the first time in his 8-year NBA career. He’s bringing it.
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) July 12, 2021
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 1 turnover represents the fewest by a player with 40-10-5 in a Finals game since turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78. pic.twitter.com/Wcz1w0bVFg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 12, 2021
24 — Bucks win 120-100 to pull within 2-1 in the series. Giannis with another remarkable performance (41 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 14-23 FG, 13-17 FT). I still can’t get over the fact that it looked like he was done for the year about 11 days ago.
🔥 Giannis TAKES OVER in Game 3! 🔥
41 PTS
13 REB
14-23 FGM
13-17 FTM@Giannis_An34 joins @SHAQ as the only players in #NBAFinals history with back-to-back 40+ point, 10+ rebound games, as the Bucks win Game 3! #ThatsGameGame 4: Wed, 9 PM ET, ABC pic.twitter.com/lIazIIZbAo
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
Kirk Goldsberry with the stat of the night:
Field Goals Made, 5 Feet Or Closer, Game 3
Giannis …. 14
Phoenix … 13 pic.twitter.com/tXKVO5KkZc— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) July 12, 2021
The message after Game 2: Giannis needs help. The message coming out of Game 3: Giannis got help.
Jrue and Khris with solid nights 👏 pic.twitter.com/HXP82ltvWB
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) July 12, 2021
After both games of during the season series were decided by one point (both Suns wins), each game in The Finals has been decided by double digits. But look at that composite score: Suns 336, Bucks 333.
Game 4 is set for Wednesday. I don’t know who needs the two days rest more: the players or the Bucks fans, who were going crazy all night long both inside and outside the arena.
MOOD IN MILWAUKEE 🦌
25,000 strong in the Deer District. pic.twitter.com/qoxlEbXaUY
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 12, 2021