NBA Finals

Backcourt propels Suns to victory in NBA Finals opener

Reuters

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Backcourt propels Suns to victory in NBA Finals opener

KICKOFF. Suns guard Chris Paul tries to find a clear path against Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of Game 1.

Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

Chris Paul puts on a show in his first NBA Finals appearance as the Suns trip the Bucks to take Game 1

In the first NBA Finals game of his 16-year NBA career, Chris Paul was ready and willing to take on all challenges.

The star point guard scored 32 points while handing out 9 assists in the Phoenix Suns’ 118-105 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 on Tuesday, July 6 (Wednesday, July 7, Manila time)..

Devin Booker contributed 27 points as the Suns leaned on their trusted guard play, but Paul’s ability to control the offense was the difference. The veteran shot 12-of-19 from the floor as the Bucks tried unsuccessfully to guard him with everybody.

“One thing we’re going to be is prepared for every game,” Paul said. “We always talk about when preparation meets opportunity. At shootaround, coach (Monty Williams) said, ‘Go hoop. You know what to do.'”

Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 19 rebounds for the Suns, who are playing in their first NBA Finals since 1993. Phoenix has never won an NBA title.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who returned from a hyperextended left knee, finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds in 35 minutes after missing the last two games of the Eastern Conference finals. 

“I’m trying my best here to not make it about my knee, but I’m going to say one more time that my knee felt good,” Antetokounmpo said. “… At the end of the day, I’m out there. I feel good. I don’t feel pain. I can run, I can jump, I can set screens, I can rebound the ball.

“I am happy. … I thought I was going to be out for a year, so I’m just happy, two games later, I’m back.”

Khris Middleton had 29 points for Milwaukee, and Brook Lopez scored 17.

Paul, who was playing in his first Finals game in his 16th NBA season, scored 10 of Phoenix’s 12 points in a 2:35 stretch late in the third quarter to turn a 74-62 Suns lead into an 86-68 advantage.

Paul scored 16 total points in the third as the Suns outscored the Bucks 35-26 to take a 92-76 lead into the final period.

(HIGHLIGHTS: Suns vs Bucks, Game 1 – NBA Finals 2021)

The Bucks cut the deficit to 101-94 on a basket by Antetokounmpo with 7:16 to go before Booker and Paul made back-to-back baskets for the Suns. Milwaukee never got closer than nine the rest of the way.

Appearing inspired by Antetokounmpo’s return, the Bucks took a 20-18 lead with 3:37 remaining in the first quarter.

A three-pointer by Cameron Johnson seven seconds later gave the Suns a 21-20 advantage, and they never trailed again, leading 30-26 at the end of one quarter and 57-49 at halftime.

Mikal Bridges ended the night with 14 points while Johnson and Cameron Payne had 10 each for the Suns. 

Phoenix starting forward Jae Crowder, the only player on either team with NBA Finals experience, scored one point and was 0-for-8 from the field.

Paul and Booker, who led the Suns in scoring during the regular season, were a combined 20-of-40 from the field and 5-of-15 from three-point range. The Suns shot 32.4% (11-of-34) from distance overall while the Bucks were at 44.4% (16 of 36).

Jrue Holiday compiled 10 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds for the Bucks, who were just 9-of-16 on foul shots. Antetokounmpo was 7-of-12 from the line.

The Suns made 25-of-26 free throws.

The Suns won despite losing backup big man Dario Saric to a knee injury in the first quarter. Saric entered the night averaging 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13 playoff games this year. – Rappler.com

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