Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. NBA Finals are here!
The Bucks defended their house in dominating fashion.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Aaron Gash/AP.)
Let’s remind y’all that almost two weeks ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo was thought to be out for an extended period of time. Heck, there was a chance he would be out for the postseason and MAYBE next season as well.
Instead, he’s building on what could be an all-time NBA Finals by an individual. Giannis went for 41 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists to follow up that 42-point performance from Game 2.
Anyway, a 40-10-5 in the Finals? Well…
Players in NBA history with *multiple* games of at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in the Finals:
LeBron James (5)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (2)
Shaquille O’Neal (2)
John Havlicek (2)
Jerry West (2)Giannis has done it twice in the same series.
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) July 12, 2021
That is elite company. So Milwaukee won by 20 points and it’s easy to go ahead and say that Giannis really did dominate the entire game. But Khris Middleton (18-7-6) and Jrue Holiday (21-5-9) had it going, too, and the Bucks sorely needed them.
On the other side, Chris Paul led the team with 19 points and 9 dimes. Devin Booker? He never got it going; he only scored 10 points off of 3 of 14 shooting. Booker didn’t play in the fourth quarter as he was struggling and the game seemed a bit out of reach.
I felt a turning point in the game was Booker and Cameron Payne messing up on a two-on-one fastbreak. Booker gave the ball to Payne late as I felt he should’ve given up to Payne early in the break. After that play, the Bucks went on a 10-0 run to boost their lead to 15 by halftime.
The Suns did cut it down to 6 points; Jae Crowder seemingly couldn’t miss a three from the left wing. But the Bucks scored 16 straight points to end the third. Holiday and Pat Connaughton made huge threes and Giannis felt more comfortable shooting free throws at home (13 for 17 overall).
Sometimes, we can just look at the box score and say that, yes, Booker has to be better. But Giannis was near-unstoppable the last two games. Plus the Suns have to figure out how to stop their ball movement. Phoenix has been very good at coming back from losses this postseason. But now Giannis seems to have found a groove. And let me say once again that he was said to be done not even two weeks ago!
Game 4 is on Wednesday and it should be a dandy.
Bullet Passes
The Orlando Magic might have found their man for their head coaching gig. Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley, who was once thought of for the Mavs gig due to his rapport with Luka Doncic, is finalizing a four-year deal with the Magic.
What the Magic need is stability. Stan Van Gundy was the only coach that has lasted longer than three years since 2003. And, well, the Magic haven’t fielded a very competitive roster since Van Gundy was there (they made the Finals in 2009. While the previous regime in Steve Clifford made the postseason twice, nobody believed they were going to get past the first round as low seeds.
It feels like the Magic have been rebuilding forever. Hopefully, this fresh start will do something.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
July 11, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
NBA FINALS
Suns lead Bucks, 2-1.
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
Well, the Bucks won the game but Cam Johnson didn’t let them go unscathed as he wallops one on P.J. Tucker.
CAM JOHNSON. OH MY GOODNESS. 😱 pic.twitter.com/K2EJveffNT
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 12, 2021
You’d better believe he was going to yam it after he got a free lane.
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.