Booker and Middleton Explode, Milwaukee Bucks Better Than Phoenix Suns, 109-103

The Milwaukee Bucks have defeated the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, 109-103, tying the series to 2-2.

The fans at Fiserv Forum had a chance to see one very interesting match, with the Milwaukee Bucks pumping up the tempo in the end and snatching a win despite being behind for the majority of the game.

Giannis Antetokoumnpo’s block on Deandre Ayton in the finish of the game solved everything. It was the moment that allowed the hosts to pull away in the fast break that followed, bringing the momentum to the Bucks’ side. Also, it is one of the best blocks seen in the NBA Finals.

“It’s, in my opinion, the best block of all time,” said the Bucks’ guard Pat Connaughton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6l_Bj381U0

Giannis had 26 buckets and 14 boards, with 8 dimes, shooting 11-for-19 from the field. Even though he wasn’t at the scoring level that we’ve expected to see him, the Greek Freak showed up when it mattered.

Milwaukee was behind most of the time, but in the last 12 minutes, the home team came back, mostly because of good defense and excellent Khris Middleton, who was the man in the finish. Bucks’ other All-Star scored 40 points tonight, having 10 of them delivered in the stretch that saw his team cutting the deficit and knocking out the Suns.

Middleton was 15-for-33 from the field, with six boards and four assists, all that in 43 minutes on the floor. His one-on-one game was the decisive for the Bucks’ victory, as he harassed the Suns’ in the ultimate few possessions.

“We know he’s going to take big shots, we know he’s going to make big shots, and tonight he was incredible,” Antetokounmpo said about his teammate.

Jrue Holiday’s contribution also needs to be mentioned. He wasn’t that good in the attack, only 13 points with four field goals in 20 shots. But the defense he performed on Chris Paul had a major significance. Holiday completely stopped the Suns’ leader, forcing him to make a few pretty big mistakes in crucial moments.

Brook Lopez contributed with 14 points, while Connaughton scored 11.

The Suns had fantastic Devin Booker, who broke a 54-year old record tonight. Phoenix’s guard would eclipse Rick Barry in points scored during the first playoff campaign. After this match, D-Book has 542, while Bary had 521 in the 1967 playoffs.

Booker’s 42 points came tonight, and those numbers would have been even better if he wasn’t having problems with fouls. The young shooting guard had to spend some time on the bench because of five fouls, which undoubtedly made his scoring much lower. Overall, the percentage he posted was quite good, 17-for-28 and 8-for-9 from the foul line.

WHAT A BLOCK BY GIANNIS
pic.twitter.com/dUimNMCoHO

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 15, 2021

There were no support from other teammates. Jae Crowder had 15 buckets, Chris Paul just 10, the same as Cameron Johnson off the bench.

Paul lost some very important possessions, which could have decided the game. He simply couldn’t adjust to Holiday’s defense and was continuously struggling to properly organize the Suns’ offense. This is the first time during the 2021 playoffs to see Paul without a solution for one of his guards.

Deandre Ayton posted his worst offensive performance in a while, having just six points in 39 minutes. The strong center did catch 17 boards and had five assists, but that couldn’t cover up his poor attacking record.

The series are moving back to Phoenix, with Game 5 being scheduled for Friday night.