The Milwaukee Bucks are playing the NBA Finals for the first time in 47 years. Unfortunately, they came home facing an 0-2 deficit against the Phoenix Suns.<\/p>\n
Considering that no team has ever overcome a 3-0 lead, the Bucks knew they needed a win in Game 3. And that is exactly what happened as they knocked off the Suns 120-100 to trim the deficit to 2-1.<\/p>\n
Here are the biggest takeaways from Milwaukee’s Game 3 win over Phoenix.<\/p>\n
While facing an 0-2 deficit in a Finals series is not an enviable position, the Bucks have been in this situation before. In the conference semifinals, they trailed 0-2 against the Brooklyn Nets<\/a>.<\/p>\n Let’s also remember that their Game 2 loss in that series was by a 39-point margin (125-86). The Bucks went on to win that series in seven games to advance to their second conference finals in three seasons.<\/p>\n Prior to this contest, the Bucks players were confident they would be able to turn things around. And on the heels of a 20-point victory over the Western Conference champs, they’re one win away from sending the series back to Phoenix knotted at 2-2.<\/p>\n In Game 2, the Bucks shot just 9-for-31 from 3-point range. That equates to a 29% conversion rate. On the flip side of the coin, the Suns shot a blistering 50% (20-for-40) from beyond the arc. If you do the math, the Bucks were outscored by 33 points from the 3-point line.<\/p>\n The Bucks reversed this trend in Game 3, though. They shot 14-for-36 — a 38.9% conversion rate. Meanwhile, they limited the Suns to 9-for-29 from distance. So after being outscored in this area by 33 points in Game 2, the Bucks outscored the Suns by 15. Simply put, the 48-point swing played a key role in the Bucks coming away with a much-needed win.<\/p>\n Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/strong><\/a> had a dominant performance in Game 2, scoring 42 points to go along with 12 rebounds and four assists. For the second straight game, the two-time MVP had his way against the Suns’ defense.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GCmxiBm48o4<\/p>\n This time, Antetokounmpo finished with an impressive stat line that included 41 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Furthermore, he looked more comfortable at the free-throw line, as he converted 13 of his 17 attempts. And Antetokounmpo became the second player in NBA history<\/a> to record 40 points and 10 rebounds in back-to-back Finals games.<\/p>\n Only two players in NBA history had 40+ points and 10+ rebounds in back-to-back Finals games.<\/p>\n Shaq and Giannis. pic.twitter.com\/IO4pZJEbDO<\/a><\/p>\n — StatMuse (@statmuse) July 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n2. Bucks win the 3-point shooting battle<\/h3>\n
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo has another solid outing and got some help<\/h3>\n
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