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The Phoenix Suns dominated the Milwaukee Bucks with an incredible display of three-point shooting in Game 2 of the NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. The Bucks led by nine points early in the game, but their lead was easily erased by the Suns’ red-hot shooting from behind the arc (going 20-of-40) on Thursday night.
With the victory, the Phoenix Suns are up 2-0 in the NBA Finals and are two wins away from their first-ever championship.
The Milwaukee Bucks were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had a historic third quarter where he scored 20 of his 42 points in the game. He also added 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
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Devin Booker was the Phoenix Suns’ catalyst with 31 points and seven three-pointers, while Mikal Bridges and Chris Paul added 27 and 23 points, respectively.
Here are 5 reasons why the Phoenix Suns lost against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals:
#1 The Phoenix Suns sizzled from the three-point arc
It initially looked like the Milwaukee Bucks were going to run away from the Phoenix Suns. However, the home team took three-pointers galore and kept making them from the start. The Suns made eight threes in the first quarter alone.
Led by Booker and Paul, the Phoenix Suns drilled one three-point shot after another en route to dropping 20 for the night.
Terrific ball movement and crafty offense from the backcourt kept the Milwaukee Bucks defense from contesting every three-point attempt.
#2 Khris Middleton was a no-show for the Milwaukee Bucks
After a stellar NBA Finals debut, Khris Middleton struggled from the field in Game 2. His shots hardly found the bottom of the net during the game.
Middleton shot a horrendous 5-of-16 from the field and 1-of-6 from three-point territory. Credit should go to the Phoenix Suns’ Mikal Bridges for his spectacular defense on the Milwaukee Bucks forward.
Middleton’s struggles appeared to get into his head late in the fourth quarter. He had Devin Booker in front of him in the paint and passed up an easy opportunity to score.
If the Milwaukee Bucks hope to win this series, they need Middleton to regain his confidence in his shot.
#3 Jrue Holiday messed up the Milwaukee Bucks’ rhythm
Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday played excellent defense against the Phoenix Suns, specifically on Paul, and was able to recover on rotations, blocking two shots in Game 2. He played with aggression from the get-go and kept Paul on his feet on defense.
However, Holiday took too many wild shots in the first quarter, going 3-of-9 from the field. By halftime, he had taken five more shots and missed them all.
The Phoenix Suns took advantage of the offensive miscues by the Milwaukee Bucks and led by 11 at the half.
The veteran guard eventually came alive in the second half and finished with 17 points on 7-of-21 shooting. However, his poor decision-making on offense in the first half took the Milwaukee Bucks out of their rhythm.
#4 Phoenix Suns made multiple tough shots
As NBA players can attest, great offense beats great defense every time. That was true for this game as well.
On several possessions, the Milwaukee Bucks played outstanding defense and were about to get a successful defensive stop. However, the Phoenix Suns would still make a basket with the shot clock winding down.
The ball movement from the Phoenix Suns kept the Milwaukee Bucks scrambling, but the visitors were still able to contest most of the shots. The Suns just made one incredible shot after another despite the Bucks’ best efforts.
#5 Poor three-point shooting
While the Phoenix Suns were constantly making their three-pointers, the Milwaukee Bucks kept missing theirs. The Bucks made just 9 of 31 threes (29%), including 1 of 5 from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who kept firing away from downtown.
Brook Lopez, a decent three-point shooting big man, took just two three-point attempts and missed both of them. Holiday made just 1 of 3.
Also Read: 5 Greatest team leaders in NBA history
