PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns had plans to come home and have the chance to win their first championship.
Khris Middleton’s shots and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blow put an end to those thoughts.
Now an NBA final that left Phoenix a week ago when they left Phoenix, very much under the control of the Suns, returns to Arizona as Tossup. The Milwaukee Bucks have taken the last two games to balance things out, with Game 5 scheduled for tonight.
“There are still two teams in the league that are now playing on the biggest stage for an NBA championship,” said Bucks striker Bobby Portis (Little Rock Hall, Arkansas Razorbacks). “It couldn’t be better.”
The Suns never picked up more than two wins in their previous two NBA Finals appearances, but they were minutes away in Game 4 on Wednesday. Phoenix was nine points ahead at the beginning of the fourth quarter and was still in the lead with 2 1 /. 2 minutes to play.
But Middleton had 10 consecutive Milwaukee points on the line to finish at 40 and Antetokoumpo blocked Deandre Ayton after a praise pass on the sidelines to keep the lead as the Bucks took a 109-103 win.
“This is obviously a heavy, emotional loss for us, but we’re moving on to the next,” said Sun’s all-star Devin Booker. “Mentality for the next game for us.”
The Bucks overcame a 2-0 deficit in the round of 16 against Brooklyn and are now trying to be the fifth club to achieve this in the NBA final. That last happened five years ago when Cleveland passed the Golden State.
First, the Bucks have to show that they can keep up in Phoenix. The Suns won their two home games by double digits.
But Milwaukee did a much better job over the next two games of making sure both Star Guards of the Suns don’t get going at the same time. The Bucks forced Booker to do a 3-for-14 night in Game 3. When he returned in Game 4 with 42 points, Chris Paul had as many turnover (five) as baskets while only getting 10 points.
“Now we’re coming back home. We have to protect the home court,” said Paul. “I hate it, but it’s so simple. We didn’t just sweep a series, so it happens in a series. That’s why they make it seven games. This is the final. It’s dramatic. We have to protect the home field.” and win the game tomorrow. “
Paul is in his 16th season in the NBA finals for the first time, starting with 32 and 23 points in the first two games. He has since weakened but said he felt fine after revealing that he played with torn ligaments in his right hand during the Western Conference final.
“We know what lies ahead,” said Suns coach Monty Williams. “You know Chris Paul, I mean, everyone has seen him. There isn’t a person in our locker room who doesn’t expect him to come out and play really well in the next game.”
The Bucks aren’t worried about their biggest star. Antetokounmpo appears to be well beyond the hyperextended left knee that has forced him to miss their last two wins in the Eastern Conference finals.
After consecutive 40-point performances in Games 2 and 3, he gave up the leading scorer role to Middleton, but still came up with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists.
No matter what happens in the rest of the series, he has secured a place in the highlight roles of the NBA finals with his block for years to come. It has been repeated countless times in the two days since, but Antetokounmpo said he hadn’t watched it until the Bucks’ film session on Friday.
“I can’t explain the game, but at the end of the day it’s over,” said the two-time MVP. “When you talk about the past, your ego is talking. It’s past, over. I have to go on. I have to keep playing winning games. I have to keep competing team to be great. “
The Bucks are looking for a second championship held 50 years ago by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. They could do it at home in Game 6 on Tuesday – provided they can finally break through on the home plane of the suns.
“It’s going to be a fight,” said Bucks guard Jrue Holiday. “But I think both sides know the price and both have a goal.
NBA finals
WEDNESDAY GAME
Milwaukee 109, Phoenix 103
Series 2-2 tied.
TODAY’S GAME All times central
Milwaukee, Phoenix, 8 p.m.
Milwaukee Bucks striker Khris Middleton (22) hits the basket against Phoenix Suns keepers Cameron Payne (left) and Jae Crowder (right) during Game 4 of the NBA Basketball Finals in Milwaukee, Wednesday, July 14, 2021. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, swimming pool)
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, center, fights for one with Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) and center Brook Lopez, right, during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Basketball Finals in Milwaukee, Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Rebound. (AP photo / Paul Sancya)
Milwaukee Bucks’ Jrue Holiday (21) shoots between Phoenix Suns’ Jae Crowder (99) and Mikal Bridges (25) while Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the fourth game of the NBA basketball final on Wednesday July 14, 2021 watching in Milwaukee. (Jonathan Daniel / Pool Photo via AP)
Milwaukee Bucks striker Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives onto Phoenix Suns Center Deandre Ayton (22) during game 4 of the NBA Basketball Finals in Milwaukee on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya, Pool)
Milwaukee Bucks striker Khris Middleton (22) celebrates with his teammates in the second half against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the NBA Basketball Finals in Milwaukee, Wednesday July 14, 2021. (AP Photo / Paul Sancya)
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