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The Phoenix Suns overcame a big deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime against the Bucks, then battled blow for blow in overtime.
The Suns took a 127-124 lead with less than a minute left, but Kris Middleton made a three to tie it with just 22 seconds left.
Then it was down to Devin Booker who drew a shooting foul with just 0.3 seconds left in the game, setting up free throws for the win.
Booker made the first and then intentionally missed the second for the one point Suns win.
This was a heavyweight battle, possibly the best game of the season and it’s sweet justice that the Suns won this one.
Big games all around, but especially by both teams best players. Deandre Ayton had 20 and 13 with huge stops of Giannis time after time. Chris Paul and Devin Booker combined for 46 points, 20 assists and 14 rebounds.
Giannis cramped up in overtime, but the Bucks made just about every clutch shot anyway and the Suns barely won this one.
SUNS WIN, 128-127
The PA really played the lullaby “You are my sunshine” for the Suns' starting lineup. Was that a playful knock on the youth and inexperience? Moving on.
Monty Williams opted to start Saric over Crowder. This was likely to try to add additional spacing to open the floor for Paul and Booker and attempt to make Giannis expend more energy on defense so he couldn’t use as much on offense. Also, DiVincenzo started for Milwaukee despite being expected to be out which was a boost for the Bucks.
1st Quarter
The Suns and Bucks started the game trading buckets, going back and forth from the jump. However, Dario wasn’t at the top of his game as he got blocked by Brook Lopez and then turned the ball over on the same play followed by the Greek Freak scoring down the court.
At the end of the opening quarter, the Suns trailed by one point with Chris Paul leading all scorers with 11 points. Giannis was being played well by the Phoenix defense, starting 3-9 from the field.
2nd Quarter
Cam Johnson aka the Masked Man came in hot, making his first two jumpers for five quick points as well as an assist to Torrey Craig to start his Revenge Game with a three-pointer.
Giannis had his way in the quarter, as he went 4-4 from the field and feasted at the charity stripe, scoring 15 points.
Halftime Stats
Three-Point Shooting
Suns 7-17 (.412)
Bucks 2-16 (.125)
Free Throws
Bucks 11
Suns 2
The Suns ended the first quarter down one point, 24-25 but outscored the Bucks by two 32-30) in the second quarter and finished the first half up one point, 56-55. Just as the first game of the series went this season, it’s been a close one.
With Devin Booker going 4-11 from the field and still in a bit of a slump, I’d love to see him snap out of it. If not, the rest of the Suns are going to need to pick up the slack and really do something about Antetokounmpo.
3rd Quarter
Milwaukee started hitting their long-range bombs as they went 4-8 from deep for the quarter and started pulling away, outscoring Phoenix 35-27 in the quarter and took a 90-83 lead.
Cam Payne scored 9 points in the period. Eddie Johnson said it right. “I said someone needed to step up and he raised his hand.”
Giannis continued to attack the paint and finished the third with 29 points.
4th Quarter
The Suns, clearly bothered by the lack of officiating to support their cause, went out and played hard. The Point God led the way and in our Hall of Fame point guard reaching yet another milestone, led the comeback.
With 4:49 left in the game, Jrue Holiday dunked it to give the Bucks a 109-102 lead. The Suns could have put their heads down but they didn’t.
With 4:25 left, Ayton scored making it 104-109.
With 4:05 left, CP3 dished it from half court to a wide-open Booker under the rim for a slam. With that, Paul passed Magic Johnson for 5th all-time in assists in NBA history.
That cut the deficit to three followed by a dish from Chris to Mikal for three which tied the game with 2:55 to go. Then Paul hit Crowder for a deep bomb to take a three-point lead.
The two clubs played it close down to the wire until a controversial play where the Bucks called a timeout without possession of the ball. Don’t ask me. Booker missed a three and it went to OT.
Overtime
Both teams exchanged buckets down to the final seconds. In the closing moments, Jrue had to guard Booker who did Book things. With 0.3 seconds to go in a tie game, Devin drew the foul and made the first free throw to ice it. He missed the second and that’s all she wrote, folks!