Nba, Milwaukee Bucks-Phoenix Suns 132-122

The champions are scary again. The Bucks beat Phoenix dragged by Middleton who scores 44 points and folds the team with the best record in the league, the opponent of the last Finals. Antetokounmpo scores just 2 points in the second half, yet the Coach Bud boys still find a way to fold the Suns, who look great even without Paul and Johnson, out of action due to injury, and Booker, unavailable by Covid protocol. In Wisconsin it ends 132-122: fourth consecutive success for the Bucks (40-25), third in the East, while Phoenix, 51 won and 13 lost, looks down on everyone to the West. The great game of Ayton, 30 points, maximum of the season, is not enough for Coach Williams, but the Caribbean center has even won the duel with Giannis. Few can boast it, even if only for a game.

THE MATCH

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Jrue Holiday vs Aaron Holiday: duel between brothers. 33-30 Phoenix at the end of the first quarter: attacks that impress beyond the demerits of the defenses, teams compete in confidence. The Suns shoot with 54%, the Bucks even with 65%, but they pay duty on 7 turnovers. Giannis starts 7/7 from the field. 49-39 Suns with Shamet targeting the retina from everywhere. Milwaukee is back under thanks to the Greek, Middleton and Ibaka’s contribution from the bench. 63-60 for the guests in the middle of the race, with the triple hit on Middleton’s siren to send the teams to the locker room. 17 points for him, Giannis and Ayton, which shows all the offensive fluidity of him, put in rhythm often and willingly by Payne, who has learned a lot from Paul’s readings.

ALLUNGO BUCKS

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Coach Bud gets a technician for protests at the beginning of the second half, Ibaka reiterates that he has been a precious signing this season: Lopez thanks to his presence can recover without haste. 91-90 Bucks after 36 ‘of play. Antetokounmpo commits the fifth foul in attack with 7’40 ”to play and ends up on the bench. But Holiday and Middleton think about acting as “closer”. Holiday label 17 points in the last quarter, Middleton pulls out the season record. With 1’12 ”to play Giannis ends up with fouls, but Middleton scores the baskets that prevent a final sprint. He closes with 44 points and the team victory. Milwaukee avenges the defeat it suffered against the Suns in Arizona a month ago. Who knows that these two teams may not see each other again in the Finals, for how they are playing it would not be surprising.

Milwaukee: Middleton 44 (11/18, 5/9, 7/7 t.l.), Holiday 24, G. Antetokounmpo 19. Rimbalzi: G. Antetokounmpo 13. Assist: Holiday 9. Phoenix: Ayton 30 (13/18, 1/1, 1/2 t.l.), Payne 23, Crowder 19. Rimbalzi: Ayton 8. Assist: Payne 8.