Bucks Topple Suns, 123-119, for Game 5 Win
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns, 123-119, at Phoenix Suns Arena on Saturday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Bucks lead the series, 3-2.
The Suns (2-3) had to have a healthy dose of optimism about their chances of inching ahead in the series going into Saturday's game, considering how well they'd played on their home floor since the start of the regular season. All seemed as it should for Phoenix early as it emerged from the first quarter with a 37-21 lead, but the Bucks (3-2) would change the dynamic of the contest completely by outscoring their hosts, 79-53, during the middle periods to enter the fourth quarter with a 10-point advantage. The home squad would naturally make a late push, going on a 25-12 run over an 8:11 period of the final period to get within one. Ultimately, a turnover by Devin Booker forced by Jrue Holiday led to a daring but sensational alley-oop pass by the latter to Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose bucket to cap off the play gave Milwaukee the critical breathing room it would need for the win.
Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 32 points, adding nine rebounds and six assists. Khris Middleton followed with 29 points, seven boards and five assists. Holiday generated a 27-point, 13-assist double-double that also included four rebounds, three steals and one block. Pat Connaughton registered 14 points and six rebounds.
Booker led the Suns with 40 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Chris Paul managed a 21-point, 11-assist double-double that also included two rebounds and one block. Deandre Ayton generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, two blocks and one steal. Mikal Bridges delivered 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Jae Crowder finished with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The two teams reconvene at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee for Game 6 on Tuesday night.
The Suns (2-3) had to have a healthy dose of optimism about their chances of inching ahead in the series going into Saturday's game, considering how well they'd played on their home floor since the start of the regular season. All seemed as it should for Phoenix early as it emerged from the first quarter with a 37-21 lead, but the Bucks (3-2) would change the dynamic of the contest completely by outscoring their hosts, 79-53, during the middle periods to enter the fourth quarter with a 10-point advantage. The home squad would naturally make a late push, going on a 25-12 run over an 8:11 period of the final period to get within one. Ultimately, a turnover by Devin Booker forced by Jrue Holiday led to a daring but sensational alley-oop pass by the latter to Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose bucket to cap off the play gave Milwaukee the critical breathing room it would need for the win.
Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 32 points, adding nine rebounds and six assists. Khris Middleton followed with 29 points, seven boards and five assists. Holiday generated a 27-point, 13-assist double-double that also included four rebounds, three steals and one block. Pat Connaughton registered 14 points and six rebounds.
Booker led the Suns with 40 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Chris Paul managed a 21-point, 11-assist double-double that also included two rebounds and one block. Deandre Ayton generated a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, two blocks and one steal. Mikal Bridges delivered 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Jae Crowder finished with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The two teams reconvene at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee for Game 6 on Tuesday night.