NBA Finals: Giannis, Bucks defeat Suns 109-103 in a fourth game thriller

Milwaukee Bucks defeated Phoenix Suns 109-103 to level the series 2-2 in the ongoing NBA Finals. It was the crucial 10 points scored by Khris Middleton in the final minutes that helped the Bucks cross the line, Middleton finished with 40 points against his name. 

Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo added 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists for the Bucks, who are chasing their first title in 50 years.

For Phoenix Suns, it was Devin Booker who topped the charts. Booker’s 38 points through three-quarters tonight tied for the 2nd most through three quarters of an NBA Finals game over the last 25 years. Booker finished with 42 points. 

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Stephen Curry’s 40 points (2019) and Allen Iverson’s 38 points (2001) are two others on the list. 

“The only way we’re going to win this series is to get one on the road. It would be nice to get this next one,” said Middleton.

Devin Booker was coming off a playoffs-worst 10-point performance in a game three loss. 

“He could have gone for 50-plus. We managed it well. A lot of our problems were self-inflicted. As a team we’ve got to take better care of the ball,” Suns coach Monty Williams said.

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In the last quarter, Phoenix’s Jae Crowder made two free throws to put the Suns ahead but Middleton answered with back-to-back jumpers to put the Bucks ahead 101-99. Paul, 36, who is playing his first NBA Final managed 10 points. 

Phoenix guard Chris Paul made his fourth turnover of the game and Middleton finished a fast break with a layup to give the Bucks a 103-99 edge with 27.2 seconds remaining. 

“We just stayed with it, doing what we do. I hit some tough shots against a tight defense,”  Middleton, who added four late free throws to seal the triumph, added. 

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It was Antetokounmpo’s key defensive plays late in the game that attracted a lot of attention. The two-time MVP disrupted the Suns and help spark a 15-0 fast break edge for the Bucks.

“Giannis, that’s what he has been doing all year. He’s amazing. He didn’t have the dominant performance, but he did it with other things,” Middleton said. 

Amongst the spectators sat Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, two players that led Bucks’ winning campaign half a century ago.

The Bucks equalized at 2-2 in the best-of-seven championship series with game five set for Saturday in Phoenix.