NBA Finals 2021: Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks - live updates, scores, stats and highlights

NBA.com Staff

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NBA Finals 2021: Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks - live updates, scores, stats and highlights image

In Game 1, Chris Paul and Devin Booker combined for 59. In Game 2, they combined for 54 but received plenty of help from their teammates. 

All Suns starters scored in double figures as the hosts knocked down a playoff franchise-record 20 3-pointers to record a 118-108 Game 2 victory.

They retaliated from an early nine-point deficit with a 30-16 second quarter and push their lead to as many as 20 with Booker and Paul knocking down big shots down the stretch to hold off every run the Bucks made in the second half. 

Milwaukee was carried by former two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He scored 30 of his game-high 42 points in the second half including a playoff career-high 20 for a quarter in the third but his effort wasn't enough as the Bucks didn't get enough from their backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton - 28 points on 12-of-37 shooting from the field.

BOX SCORE

Fourth Quarter

Despite the inexperience, the Suns show tremendous poise to ensure they never game up their lead in the second half by answering every Bucks bucket with one of their own. 

As Phoenix narrowly outscored Milwaukee 63-62, it was more or less a stalemate with Devin Booker making key shot after key shot.  

More of the same. The Suns push it to 13 and the Bucks bring right back to six with a 7-0 run. It's a 103-97 game with 4:32 left. 

Time and again, Milwaukee brings the lead down to seven or even five but Phoenix always responds and mostly with one of their All-Star guards. 

End of Third Quarter: Suns 88, Bucks 78 

Antetokounmpo dominates the third quarter, scoring 20 (playoff career-high for a quarter) of the Bucks' 33 points but the Suns score 32 to keep their advantage at 10 heading into the final quarter.

The Bucks keep making runs but the Suns keep responding. It's a 79-69 game with 4:04 left in the third quarter.

Milwaukee still in this and it's all Antetokounmpo in the third period. About 5:31 into the quarter, he has 13 after having 12 at the half including sparking a 7-0 Bucks run. 

Phoenix is not slacking. They work on their advantage and push their lead past double-digits early in the third quarter.

Halftime: Suns 56, Bucks 45

Booker, Paul and Ayton have only combined for 18 of the Suns' first-half points because it's been Phoenix's wings carrying them. Bridges, Jae Crowder and Cameron Johnson combine for 28 points, 24 of which have come beyond the arc. 

For the Bucks, Antetokounmpo has 12 points and eight rebounds but the story of the first half has been the struggles for their backcourt. Holiday and Middleton have combined for 11 points while making just five of their 24 field goal attempts.

It's just 24 of the 48 minutes but a remarkable fightback from the Suns. They took the early aggression but punched back to outscore the Bucks 30-16 in the second quarter and carry a near double-digit lead into the locker room at intermission. 

Towards the end of that period, we saw what was probably one of the best possessions - by both teams - of the 2021 playoffs

While it's been a great start on defence for Milwaukee, a combination of the Suns finding their offense (carried by their 3-pointers) and the struggles of Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have the Bucks down 48-41 with 3:04 left in the first half. 

Holiday and Middleton are a combined 5-of-20 shooting from the field for 11 points.

Five minutes in and the Suns make a strong statement by starting the quarter on a 13-6 run. Chris Paul knocks a couple of buckets but the run was punctuated by this dunk, which forced Budenholzer to call his second timeout of the game. 

Jrue Holiday had the impressive block there but not enough Bucks ran back. 

End of First quarter: Bucks 29, Suns 26

Impressive composure shown from Phoenix as they withstand the Bucks' early aggression and only trail by three after the first 12 minutes, thanks largely to their outstanding 8-of-14 shooting on 3-pointers. They score 26 despite their Big 3 of Chris Paul, Booker and Deandre Ayton only combining for eight points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field. 

On the other hand, for the Bucks, it's been all about the paint with only four of their 28 field goal attempts coming from 3-point range. Antetokounmpo, Holiday and P.J. Tucker combined for 20 of the team's 29. 

The Bucks looking more up to the task so far. With 2:49 left in the first quarter, they lead 23-20 in what has been a game of different attacks.

Milwaukee have attacked inside as they hold an 18-0 advantage in the paint while the Suns have scored 18 of their 20 from beyond the arc on 6-of-11 shooting. 

The Bucks clearly looking more forceful on both ends of the floor to start Game 2. Just over five minutes and Mike Budenholzer is the first to call timeout as the Bucks lead 14-9. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday have combined for 12 of the 14 while for the Suns, it's only been only 3-pointers as Mikal Bridges as six of their first nine points. Devin Booker, meanwhile, has started the game 0-of-4 from the field.

What a way to start Game 2. 

Pregame

-Suns big man Deandre Ayton was unstoppable on the glass and in the paint in Game 1. 

-Giannis gets loose for his second game back from a hyperextended left knee. Antetokounmpo dropped 20 points and 17 rebounds in Game 1.

-Milwaukee starters:

-Phoenix starters:

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NBA.com Staff

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