3 things Milwaukee Bucks need to do to clinch title against Phoenix Suns in Game 6 | 2021 NBA Finals

#2 Bully the Suns in the paint

Torrey Craig shoots as Brook Lopez, right, defends during the first half of Game 5.

If there was one thing that the Milwaukee Bucks have that they could exploit against the Phoenix Suns, it’s their size. But Antetokounmpo and company haven’t always made use of their height advantage to the hilt which is why they lost the first game of the NBA Finals.

The #Bucks Big 3 showed up and dominated. Combined for 88 points, 24 assists, and 20 rebounds....not to mention clutch plays down the stretch! 😤🔥They want it more. Simple as that. #BucksVsSuns | #MilwaukeeBucks | #FearTheDeer | #NBAFinals | #NBA pic.twitter.com/uJZodZBBWo

— Josh Berrian (@_joshonair) July 18, 2021

In Games 1 and 5, the Suns scored more points in the paint than the Milwaukee Bucks did. Although the Bucks won Game 5, they nearly gave away a 14-point lead after Chris Paul scored on a layup to cut it down to one. That’s not something that they can allow to happen in Game 6.

Apart from just outscoring Phoenix in the paint, Milwaukee’s defense should also keep them from entering the shaded area, especially during the final minutes of the ball game.

So far, the Milwaukee Bucks have controlled the boards in every Finals game. But when the margin is four rebounds or less, they have either lost the game (Games 1 and 2) or were in significant danger of losing it (Game 5).

For the Milwaukee Bucks to secure a Game 6 victory, Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez will have to put their height and heft to good use.

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#3 Force the Suns to turn the ball over

Chris Paul #3 handles the ball against Jrue Holiday #21.

The Milwaukee Bucks have hoisted up 91.0 attempts per game in the NBA Finals compared to just 84.8 for the Phoenix Suns. That’s mostly due to the fact that the Suns have averaged 13.0 turnovers a game in their last three games compared to just 10.5 in the first two.

Jrue Holiday is as integral to the Milwaukee Bucks’ success in the Finals as Antetokounmpo and Middleton. His hounding of Chris Paul has caused the 11-time All-Star to cough up the ball at a rate of 3.6 per game in the NBA Finals. For someone who has averaged 2.4 turnovers per game in his career (including 2.2 during the 2020-21 regular season and 2.1 in these playoffs), Paul is playing out of character and that’s a testament to Holiday’s defense.

Top-tier perimeter defense. Been this way for Jrue for years. (via @bucks) pic.twitter.com/DdjUWNFNqu

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) July 18, 2021

In Game 4, the Suns had 17 turnovers, five of which were by Paul and it completely ruined their chances of going up 3-1 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Paul ultimately found a way to manage his turnovers in Game 5, but Booker gave up the ball to Holiday with 16.7 seconds left, costing them the chance to take the lead.

While Holiday has the primary responsibility of making it hard for the Suns to set up their plays, Middleton and reserve guard Pat Connaughton will also be tasked with the same when they’re guarding Booker and Cameron Payne.

If the Milwaukee Bucks are aggressive without fouling on defense, Phoenix will eventually make mistakes. When that happens, the Bucks have to make it a point to score on that extra possession.