Title point for Milwaukee. Led by 16 points at the end of the first quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo (32 pts), Khris Middleton (29 pts), Jrue Holiday (27 pts, 13 pts) and the Bucks erased their delay before half-time and finally won the bet at the end of the suspense Saturday (119-123), in Phoenix, during the fifth round of the NBA Finals. Beaten in the first two matches, they now lead 3-2 and will have the opportunity to win their first coronation since 1971 on Tuesday at the Fiserv Forum. If the Suns were to remove this Game 6, the two teams would meet Thursday, in Arizona, for a game 7. Note the impact of Pat Connaughton (14 pts) and Bobby Portis (9 pts) off the bench for the Bucks. On the Phoenix side, Devin Booker (40 pts) did (very) strong again. Double-double for Chris Paul (21 pts,11 pds) and DeAndre Ayton (20 pts, 10 pds).
The Suns started this crazy meeting more than perfect. For a long time more than 80% on shots, they marched on a Milwaukee team which thwarted and lost 7 balls in the first quarter (32-16, then 37-21). 14/19 on shots for Phoenix, in demonstration. It wasn't going to last. Without Antetokounmpo, but with the weight inside, the race and the skill not to have what to do with, the Bucks erased their delay in just over 4 minutes (42-42)! Quickly glued to the bench with two faults in the first quarter, Holiday was flamboyant in the second (12 pts). And Mike Budenholzer's players continued to play their game while the Suns lost theirs (59-64). 43 points for the visitors in this second quarter (61-64 MT). Symbol of this express "remountada",the offensive double rebound of Portis, the 2 points and the fault as a bonus. All on Ayton's head, before showing the muscles. A team in front at the break after being led by 15 points or more in the first period? Only the Boston Celtics had made it in the Finals so far. It was in 1957, against the St. Louis Hawks.
We remained on this dynamic in the recovery, with Bucks who made their physique speak (75-85). So far almost in retreat (everything is relative), Giannis made his presence felt (81-94). Like this interception in the hands of Booker followed by a triple, Holiday, him, continued his recital. In fact, the whole "Big Three" was shining, and the Bucks, who had a +16 ball, attacked the last 12 minutes at +10 (100-90). And the Suns found their game, with stops, more sharing of the swells and a "CP3" in boss mode (112-117). Middleton multiplied the exploits but Booker achieved one in turn: 117-120 to 1'24 from the end. Antetokounmpo made 0/2 throws and Paul went to the circle (119-120) before a stop. Match point, Booker. But Holiday stole it from him beforesend Antetokounmpo to the alley-oop, the fault as a bonus (119-122). Despite throws left in the road, Milwaukee held on (119-123 final score).
