2021 NBA Finals

[lakefront]

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]

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

[TiMSport]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

MLB All Star game?

[TiMSport]

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

[Germanauto]

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

[avantegardestyle]

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]

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]

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]

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]

"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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.