Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. NBA Finals are here!
The Suns defend their home court again to take a 2-0 series lead in the NBA Finals.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Chow/Arizona Republic.)
The Bucks tried a different approach to start Game 2. They went inside and took control of the paint. That’s what they exclusively did for most of the first quarter; they outscored Phoenix, 20-0, in the key.
But the Suns were able to counter with 8 three-pointers in the first. The Bucks only led by three after one.
Phoenix took control in the second quarter as Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday struggled immensely (a combined 0 for 10 in that period). The Bucks went through some dry spells while the Suns had everyone involved in the offense. There’s this one particular possession where the Suns just wore down the Bucks defense with over 10 passes. It wasn’t perfect at the end but man, was it disheartening for Milwaukee.
The @Suns added to their best ball movement of the season with a beautiful 10-pass sequence in the Game 2 W! #ThatsGame
PHX will look to build on their 2-0 lead in #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV Game 3 Sunday night at 8pm/et on ABC. pic.twitter.com/XxlmAegy7W
— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2021
Phoenix went up by 11 at the half. Giannis Antetokounmpo went Buck wild (heh heh) in the third. Combined with all the fouls and all the counting, Giannis scored 20 points (9 for 14 from the line) in the third. But Giannis was countered by the combination of Devin Booker and Chris Paul, who combined for 22 in that quarter. They still led by double digits after that stanza.
The Bucks cut into that lead in the fourth but every rally was thwarted by the poise of the Suns. Deandre Ayton would make a lay-up. Booker or Paul would make a three-pointer. Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges would make a jumper. The Suns were just too much for the Bucks in Game 2.
Giannis was incredible and it feels like his hyperextended knee a week ago is a mirage. He went for 42 points and 12 boards. Giannis was nearly unstoppable but the rest of the team was almost the complete opposite.
Jrue Holiday came on late but still shot 7 for 21 for 17 points. Middleton only had 11. While both players filled the stat sheet, what they really needed was better offense. The Bucks were 9 for 31 (.290) behind the arc and they missed some chippies inside. Simply put, they needed to make shots.
Meanwhile, the Suns made 20 threes in their perimeter barrage. Booker scored 31. Paul went for 23 points and 8 assists. Mikal Bridges was huge with 27 points. Crowder (11 points, 10 boards) and Ayton (10 points, 11 rebounds) had double-doubles. It was almost like you had to pick your poison against Phoenix.
Maybe home cooking will make Milwaukee better in Games 3 and 4. Well, they hope it could help Holiday and Middleton. The former has struggled in particular in this series thus far. The Bucks hope Middleton catches fire again, like he did in the Hawks series.
Either way, the Suns are halfway through the series in their quest for their first-ever NBA championship. The Bucks, however, were in this position against Brooklyn and they came back to win. So let’s see what Sunday holds.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
July 8, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
NBA FINALS
Suns lead Bucks, 2-0.
EAST
#3 Bucks defeat #5 Hawks, 4-2.
#5 Hawks defeat #1 Sixers, 4-3.
#3 Bucks defeat #2 Nets, 4-3.
#1 Sixers defeat #8 Wizards, 4-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #4 Knicks, 4-1.
#2 Nets defeat #7 Celtics, 4-1.
#3 Bucks defeat #6 Heat, 4-0.
WEST
#2 Suns defeat #4 Clippers, 4-2.
#4 Clippers defeat #1 Jazz, 4-2.
#2 Suns defeat #3 Nuggets, 4-0.
#1 Jazz defeat #8 Grizzlies, 4-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #5 Mavericks, 4-3.
#2 Suns defeat #7 Lakers, 4-2.
#3 Nuggets defeat #6 Blazers, 4-2.
Watch This Play
We love our chasedown blocks in the Finals. Jrue Holiday got this one on Devin Booker CLEAN.
Jrue chased down Book 😳 pic.twitter.com/WV2P1z2org
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 9, 2021
Yes, Deandre Ayton was able to follow it up with a dunk. But you can’t deny this defensive play by Holiday.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.