The Phoenix Suns dealt the first blow in the 2021 NBA Finals with a resounding 118-105 victory over the Milwaukee bucks in a bustling and packed pavilion, just like old times. Chris Paul, with a brilliant third quarter and an excellent game, dominated the scene with 32 points and 9 assists despite of unexpected return of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who played without apparent complaints following his grisly knee injury a week ago.
The moral boost caused by the presence of the Greek In the starting five, it barely lasted a quarter for some Bucks who failed to combine their best game in attack or defense. The Suns, in fact, broke them with their smashing outdoor duo, starring the veteran of CP3 and completed by the impudence and impudence of Devin Booker, author of 27 points and 6 assists at the match.
“We trust each other”, valued Paul, old dog at 36 years, from his position as conductor. “We are going to continue playing, this is just a game”. They are his first NBA Finals and he wants to go one step at a time: “There is a lot of energy in this building. Now we have to take advantage of it and win the second at home ”.
As if that were not enough, the display of the outer couple was joined by the efficiency of a gigantic Deandre Ayton (22 points and 19 rebounds) inside the paint with Milwaukee’s inability to defend Monty Williams’ crushing blocking and continuation game.
On his return to the slopes after his grisly knee injury just a week ago, Antetokounmpo finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists in 35 minutes game and was accompanied by Khris middleton (29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists), Brook Lopez (17 points) and some flash of Jrue Holiday, who contributed 10 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists (4-14 TC).
Mike Budenholzer did not hit the key to react to the rival’s proposal, the same one that has led them to the title tie after an incredible season.
Phoenix dominated the tale from start to finish, and only the great start of Antetokounmpo, with 8 points in 8 minutes, prevented Booker’s 12 from dynamiting the match in the first period (30-26). In a second, CP3 bounced back from a weak start and began to plug in the shots that the constant changes in defense allowed him throughout the game.
“I saw the opportunity they gave me, so I tried to be aggressive despite failing,” Paul explained after the crash. “We have to play with rhythm, I’m the old man and I need to stop sometimes, but that’s what it takes “. That devastating pace from Phoenix amplified the screams from the stands, deafening with the full capacity as in the days before the pandemic.
Despite the efforts of Middleton and López, who took over from Antetokounmpo, the Suns escaped at halftime eight up (57-49). It was after the break that Paul decided to take the reins, perhaps more rested after the break. With 16 points in the fourth, he illuminated the devastating partial (35-27) that practically left the crash sentenced.
Those from Arizona came to dominate by 20 points and they entered the last period with a 17 advantage (92-75). In between, Booker followed his ball and scored several true wizard plays.
In the last attempt by the Bucks, who They got to 7 in the equator of the last quarter with the also unexpected irruption of Bryn forbes, it was again the two outside of Phoenix who gave account of the rival.
With a 2 + 1 on Anteto at 3:30 from the end (113-99), Chris Paul put the exclamation point on his display and that of his teammates in the first game, which somewhat reduces the pressure for the locals in these Finals between two teams seeking to break a half-century drought.
The 1-0 moves the pressure to Milwaukee, who will seek to recover with a triumph on Friday morning that I would break the court factor that Phoenix has won and enjoyed throughout the playoffs. Seen the atmosphere last night, holding the breath of the pavilion can result key to the Suns achieving their first ring in 53-year history.
The return of Antetokounmpo is the only thing that can stop Chris Paul and company after last night’s recital.