2021 NBA Finals

lakefront · 07-11-2021, 06:58 PM

I know, nobody cares about today's NBA. But the Finals deserve their own thread.

Game 3: Will Middleton and Holiday (or Lopez) show up for the Bucks or will Bucks go down 3-0 tonight? Two of Milwaukee's 3 stars have played well at times these playoffs, but all 3 at once have not shown up. Might be what it takes against an excellent Suns team.

mjr24 · 07-12-2021, 03:41 AM

They always play well at home.....have a great chance to tie it up Wednesday night.

TiMSport · 07-12-2021, 10:41 AM

Yeah this was a much better game for them. When Holiday plays super aggressive, they typically win. I was surprised how Booker was shut down. Clearly the Bucks have the ability to play like this, they just need to bring it EVERY night, not just at home or whenever they have their backs against the wall.

Giannis has been a monster. I noticed he quickened his free throw motions and was really good last night. It's almost as though spending too much time made him overthink it so when he shaved a few seconds off his routine it actually seems to have helped.

lakefront · 07-12-2021, 12:38 PM

Suns didn't shoot as well as they did at home (no surprise), they even missed a few free throws. Booker was off for sure, not sure if the D caused it or not. Maybe Middleton's turn to go off next game?

Der_Wolf · 07-12-2021, 12:50 PM

Giannis is going to need to score 40+ and have 10+ rebounds in every game if the Bucks are going to pull this out.

TiMSport · 07-12-2021, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakefront

Suns didn't shoot as well as they did at home (no surprise), they even missed a few free throws. Booker was off for sure, not sure if the D caused it or not. Maybe Middleton's turn to go off next game?

Yeah I think the D had a big role in that. I remember Trae had a tougher time when Holiday and others really pressed him, including full court. It just takes a ton of energy to keep that up. Playing away and especially in the playoffs (for the first time I might add) is a totally different game. Unfortunately for you guys, the Suns have home court advantage (for now). They win tomorrow night it's a 3 game series.

TiMSport · 07-12-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der_Wolf

Giannis is going to need to score 40+ and have 10+ rebounds in every game if the Bucks are going to pull this out.

Hasn't been a problem for him so far because he has been so dominant. Like I said before, the Bucks need to bring it every game and be more consistent. Easier said than done of course.

TiMSport · 07-13-2021, 07:20 PM

So why is there an extra day off today? Aren't games usually every other day when they're held in the same location?

lakefront · 07-13-2021, 09:26 PM

MLB All Star game?

TiMSport · 07-13-2021, 09:52 PM

Yeah that could be. Guess they didn't want to battle for viewers.

Germanauto · 07-13-2021, 10:01 PM

I watched part of game 1 but not game 2 or 3 at all. Seems like all three games have been blowouts.

avantegardestyle · 07-14-2021, 12:33 AM

the Suns lost partly because Ayton was in foul trouble and they had to go small/ Zone. Saric injury is really major.
with Ayton in foul trouble, CP3 can't run his pick and rolls the way he likes, he can't switch to get brook Lopez and abuse him

I told people the best Shot the bucks have is to play Portis alongside Giannis rather than playing Lopez.

TiMSport · 07-14-2021, 03:23 PM

Agreed. Lopez gets exposed when the opposing team's guards effectively hit their midrange shots. Atlanta was able to do that sometimes but weren't consistent unfortunately.

lakefront · 07-14-2021, 04:54 PM

Portis is quicker than Lopez but he's not a great defender. Certainly not the rim protector Lopez is. But both those guys are terrific inside scorers. They will be going after Ayton for sure to get him in foul trouble again. Maybe Giannis more of a passer tonight? At least at first?

TiMSport · 07-14-2021, 06:57 PM

I never really watched Portis play until this year's playoffs. I've been surprised at his scoring ability from the perimeter as well as inside, including fadeaway baseline jumpers. He seems to have a nice touch.

TiMSport · 07-15-2021, 12:07 AM

"Resilience" is the key word for tonight's game. It wasn't pretty. Something is off about Giannis though. He seemed short of breath throughout the game.

E92inNC · 07-15-2021, 12:08 AM

Suns fan here. I’ve accepted we’re gonna get out rebounded every game but to have 12 more turnovers than the other team, we’re lucky we didn’t get blown out. CP needs to get aggressive again taking those mid range fadeaway, he’s too passive has throwing the ball away too much this series.

E92inNC · 07-15-2021, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

"Resilience" is the key word for tonight's game. It wasn't pretty. Something is off about Giannis though. He seemed short of breath throughout the game.

I’ve noticed he tends to check out after a 3-4 minutes into the game, plays in short spurts in the first half and then plays the bulk of the minutes in the second half.

TiMSport · 07-15-2021, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92inPHX

I’ve noticed he tends to check out after a 3-4 minutes into the game, plays in short spurts in the first half and then plays the bulk of the minutes in the second half.

Yeah, but especially compared to game 3 he was not nearly as aggressive and looked tired. Chris Paul looked like shit tonight. Holiday does that to opposing guards though when he focuses mostly on his D.

Well, it's now a 3 game series.

E92inNC · 07-15-2021, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Yeah, but especially compared to game 3 he was not nearly as aggressive and looked tired. Chris Paul looked like shit tonight. Holiday does that to opposing guards though when he focuses mostly on his D.

Well, it's now a 3 game series.

They sent a second man much more this game and Middleton went to work with the mid range all game long. I can only hope we get more from the role players and CP gets it together and especially stop turning the ball over. I’d always figure this would go 6 or 7 games so the series is right on track, gonna be very entertaining as the pressure ramps up with each game.

mjr24 · 07-16-2021, 12:57 AM

Paul is looking like.....wait for it, a 36 year old guard who never stays healthy when it counts. This is par for the course for him hence why his teams have never won anything.

Giannis is fine.....I think he gets too hyped up early and he is out of breath/hyperventilating. I use to get that way when I took energy pills and went out and played ball right after instead of lifting weights.....I was not tired but I just literally was out of breath after literally a couple times down the court. It would last 20-30 minutes until my body was calmed down enough (probably wasn't very smart, either).

Wouldn't be shocked if the Suns won game 5....because, well, it's the NBA....they want 7 games. I'm sure the Bucks will win 6 at home. The 9 fouls Booker had yesterday only confirmed that. That being said, all the foul call crying is ridiculous, they never call most fouls in the Finals or playoffs in general (especially later games in the series) although the Booker foul was egregious.....like almost Rams/Saints NFCC pass interference obvious. His later foul on Middleton is called 9 of 10 times, too.

TiMSport · 07-18-2021, 10:11 AM

Well that was an exciting game last night. I think it might be the first time all three of Milwaukee's star players performed at a high level, especially with their scoring. Hard to beat when that happens. The player I've been the most impressed with is Holiday. The ability to play lockdown D and score points on the other end. I'm also impressed with the Bucks because they don't whine about calls throughout the game like the Suns tend to do. I like Booker but he's been showing glimpses of LeBron when it comes to complaining to the refs about alleged non-calls.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say CP3 is probably not going to get a ring. To be honest, I don't care.

07-11-2021, 06:58 PM	#1
lakefront Captain 630 Rep 786 Posts Drives: Whatever's in the garage Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SE Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	2021 NBA Finals I know, nobody cares about today's NBA. But the Finals deserve their own thread. Game 3: Will Middleton and Holiday (or Lopez) show up for the Bucks or will Bucks go down 3-0 tonight? Two of Milwaukee's 3 stars have played well at times these playoffs, but all 3 at once have not shown up. Might be what it takes against an excellent Suns team.
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07-12-2021, 03:41 AM	#2
mjr24 Colonel 2272 Rep 2,802 Posts Drives: 25 X7, 24 I7 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	They always play well at home.....have a great chance to tie it up Wednesday night. __________________ 2025 X7 40i, 2024 I7 60i, 2022 M8 Comp GC, 2021 AMG GT53, 2022 X5M Competition, 2021 X7 40i, 2019 M5, 2018 M550I, 2017 Audi Q7, 2014 M6 GC, 2013 Mercedes CLS550, 2011 750LI, 2008 M6 Cabrio, 2008 Porsche Cayenne S, 2004 Mercedes SL55 AMG, 2003 Mercedes SL500, 2000 Mercedes CL500, 1993 Lexus SC400, 1989 525i, 1985 318i
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07-12-2021, 10:41 AM	#3
TiMSport Banned 12844 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Yeah this was a much better game for them. When Holiday plays super aggressive, they typically win. I was surprised how Booker was shut down. Clearly the Bucks have the ability to play like this, they just need to bring it EVERY night, not just at home or whenever they have their backs against the wall. Giannis has been a monster. I noticed he quickened his free throw motions and was really good last night. It's almost as though spending too much time made him overthink it so when he shaved a few seconds off his routine it actually seems to have helped.
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07-12-2021, 12:38 PM	#4
lakefront Captain 630 Rep 786 Posts Drives: Whatever's in the garage Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SE Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	Suns didn't shoot as well as they did at home (no surprise), they even missed a few free throws. Booker was off for sure, not sure if the D caused it or not. Maybe Middleton's turn to go off next game?
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07-12-2021, 12:50 PM	#5
Der_Wolf Lieutenant 892 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2021 G82 Comp Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Giannis is going to need to score 40+ and have 10+ rebounds in every game if the Bucks are going to pull this out. __________________ \|2021 M4 Competition\| \|2018 M3 Competition\| \|1994 525i\| ///M
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07-13-2021, 07:20 PM	#8
TiMSport Banned 12844 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	So why is there an extra day off today? Aren't games usually every other day when they're held in the same location?
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07-13-2021, 09:26 PM	#9
lakefront Captain 630 Rep 786 Posts Drives: Whatever's in the garage Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SE Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	MLB All Star game?
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07-13-2021, 09:52 PM	#10
TiMSport Banned 12844 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Yeah that could be. Guess they didn't want to battle for viewers.
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07-13-2021, 10:01 PM	#11
Germanauto Major General 9841 Rep 6,142 Posts Drives: Alfa Romeo Giulia, Rosso Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I watched part of game 1 but not game 2 or 3 at all. Seems like all three games have been blowouts. __________________ Former -2008 E90 328 black/brown -2012 Lexus IS250 black/black
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07-14-2021, 12:33 AM	#12
avantegardestyle Captain 320 Rep 937 Posts Drives: E90 ///M3 SG Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: East Side iTrader: (0)	the Suns lost partly because Ayton was in foul trouble and they had to go small/ Zone. Saric injury is really major. with Ayton in foul trouble, CP3 can't run his pick and rolls the way he likes, he can't switch to get brook Lopez and abuse him I told people the best Shot the bucks have is to play Portis alongside Giannis rather than playing Lopez.
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07-14-2021, 03:23 PM	#13
TiMSport Banned 12844 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Agreed. Lopez gets exposed when the opposing team's guards effectively hit their midrange shots. Atlanta was able to do that sometimes but weren't consistent unfortunately.
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07-14-2021, 04:54 PM	#14
lakefront Captain 630 Rep 786 Posts Drives: Whatever's in the garage Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: SE Wisconsin iTrader: (2)	Portis is quicker than Lopez but he's not a great defender. Certainly not the rim protector Lopez is. But both those guys are terrific inside scorers. They will be going after Ayton for sure to get him in foul trouble again. Maybe Giannis more of a passer tonight? At least at first?
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07-14-2021, 06:57 PM	#15
TiMSport Banned 12844 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	I never really watched Portis play until this year's playoffs. I've been surprised at his scoring ability from the perimeter as well as inside, including fadeaway baseline jumpers. He seems to have a nice touch.
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07-15-2021, 12:07 AM	#16
TiMSport Banned 12844 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	"Resilience" is the key word for tonight's game. It wasn't pretty. Something is off about Giannis though. He seemed short of breath throughout the game.
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07-15-2021, 12:08 AM	#17
E92inNC Captain 1892 Rep 638 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: woods by the sea iTrader: (2)	Suns fan here. I’ve accepted we’re gonna get out rebounded every game but to have 12 more turnovers than the other team, we’re lucky we didn’t get blown out. CP needs to get aggressive again taking those mid range fadeaway, he’s too passive has throwing the ball away too much this series.
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07-16-2021, 12:57 AM	#21
mjr24 Colonel 2272 Rep 2,802 Posts Drives: 25 X7, 24 I7 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Paul is looking like.....wait for it, a 36 year old guard who never stays healthy when it counts. This is par for the course for him hence why his teams have never won anything. Giannis is fine.....I think he gets too hyped up early and he is out of breath/hyperventilating. I use to get that way when I took energy pills and went out and played ball right after instead of lifting weights.....I was not tired but I just literally was out of breath after literally a couple times down the court. It would last 20-30 minutes until my body was calmed down enough (probably wasn't very smart, either). Wouldn't be shocked if the Suns won game 5....because, well, it's the NBA....they want 7 games. I'm sure the Bucks will win 6 at home. The 9 fouls Booker had yesterday only confirmed that. That being said, all the foul call crying is ridiculous, they never call most fouls in the Finals or playoffs in general (especially later games in the series) although the Booker foul was egregious.....like almost Rams/Saints NFCC pass interference obvious. His later foul on Middleton is called 9 of 10 times, too. __________________ 2025 X7 40i, 2024 I7 60i, 2022 M8 Comp GC, 2021 AMG GT53, 2022 X5M Competition, 2021 X7 40i, 2019 M5, 2018 M550I, 2017 Audi Q7, 2014 M6 GC, 2013 Mercedes CLS550, 2011 750LI, 2008 M6 Cabrio, 2008 Porsche Cayenne S, 2004 Mercedes SL55 AMG, 2003 Mercedes SL500, 2000 Mercedes CL500, 1993 Lexus SC400, 1989 525i, 1985 318i
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07-18-2021, 10:11 AM	#22
TiMSport Banned 12844 Rep 2,983 Posts Drives: '21 M340i xDrive, '17 Audi S3 Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	Well that was an exciting game last night. I think it might be the first time all three of Milwaukee's star players performed at a high level, especially with their scoring. Hard to beat when that happens. The player I've been the most impressed with is Holiday. The ability to play lockdown D and score points on the other end. I'm also impressed with the Bucks because they don't whine about calls throughout the game like the Suns tend to do. I like Booker but he's been showing glimpses of LeBron when it comes to complaining to the refs about alleged non-calls. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say CP3 is probably not going to get a ring. To be honest, I don't care.
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