Bucks-Suns NBA Finals score, takeaway: Giannis Antetokounmpo goes for 4-10 again, Milwaukee rolls into Game 3

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We have ourselves a series. After losing their first two games in the Phoenix, the Milwaukee Bucks took a much-needed 120-110 win over the Suns in Game 3 at the Fiserv Forum on Sunday night. With the win, the Bucks are now 2-1 behind in the NBA Finals, which is much more manageable than 3-0 – a deficit that has historically proven insurmountable.

As has been the case throughout the postseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucs, who had over 40 points for the second game in a row. In all, Antetokounmpo finished with 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes of work. It was a pretty impressive performance from a two-time MVP, but he also got his fair share of help. Junior Holiday scored 21 points, nine assists and five rebounds, while Khris Middleton added 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Chris Paul led the way for Phoenix with 19 points and nine assists, Deandre Eaton added 18 points and nine rebounds, but in the end their production wasn’t enough.

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The win was huge for the Bucks, and the loss was clearly a disappointment to the Suns who dominated the first two games of the series. However, neither team can think about it for very long as they have to prepare for Game 4 on Wednesday night. Here are four key points from Milwaukee’s win over Phoenix in Game Three.

1. Giannis made some NBA history

Not only did Giannis Antetokounmpo push the Bucks to win in Game 3, but he also made serious NBA history in the process. By finishing with 41 points and 13 rebounds, Antetokounmpo became the second player ever to score more than 40 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive NBA Finals games. The only other player to do so was Shaquille O’Neal.

Antetokounmpo did a lot of damage to his paint in Game 3. In fact, his 24 paintball points equaled the record for the most in a final match over the past 25 years.

Antetokounmpo’s numbers are pretty impressive, especially considering the fact that he’s playing in his first World Cup finals. He now has a total of 103 points over his first three finals, the fourth most ever, behind only Rick Barry (122 points), Allen Iverson (106 points) and Willis Reed (104 points). If he can continue to play at the high level he has so far, the Bucks will have a real chance to win their first title since 1971.

2. Devin Poker’s Forgotten Game

Devin Booker was one of the standout stars of the post-season, but he put in an unforgettable performance in Game Three. Booker started slow – he shot 1 for 7 in the first quarter – and wasn’t able to really get back on track after that. In all, Booker finished only 10 points in shooting 3 of 14 from the ground and shooting 1 of 7 from long range. Booker played just 29 minutes into the game, not playing at all in the fourth quarter as the dollar was already up at that point – in part due to Booker’s inability to produce points early in the game. Booker’s 10 points in Game 3 were his lowest points in any post-season game. Going forward, the Suns will clearly need Booker to get back on track if they are to score two more wins in the series to claim their first NBA title.

3. Great Night on the Antetokounmpo . Line

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s free fire was a major storyline throughout the post-season, as the two-time MVP has had his fair share of struggles from the charity strip. But in Game 3 he came through the bar. Antetokounmpo attempted 17 foul shots in the match, dropping 13 of them. That’s up to 76 percent, a significant jump from the 55 percent he averaged in the post-season. When he drops his free throws at a clip this high, it becomes difficult to take down the coins. Playing at home probably helped, as there weren’t 20,000 loud fans and he quickly counted to 10 every time he went to class. Antetokounmpo deserves credit for remaining aggressive throughout the series even though he struggled off the streak. Philadelphia 76er Ben Simmons could have learned a thing or two from him.

4. The Bucks were more physically fit

The Bucks dominated the Suns in paint and offensive glass, and they ended up being a huge factor in Game 3. Milwaukee had 13 offensive rebounds compared to just six for the Phoenix, and in turn outnumbered the Suns 20-2 when he was. Reached the second chance points. Recovery is a matter of effort, especially when it comes to offensive rebounds, so this tells you that the Bucks were the most determined – and physically – team on Sunday night. This factor is also evidenced by the free-throw totals, with the Bucks firing 10 more free throws than the Suns did in the game (26 to 16). The Bucks set the tone with their physicality, and the Suns never answered the bell. From now on, Phoenix will have to be more physical and do a better job at boxing.

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