MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks pounded Phoenix 120-100, cutting the Suns’ lead to 2-1 in the NBA Finals.
The first Finals game in Milwaukee since 1974 went to the home team in a romp, with Antetokounmpo and the bigger Bucks overwhelming the smallish Suns to the tune of a 20-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Game 4 is Wednesday night, with the series now guaranteed to go back to Phoenix afterward.
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Chris Paul had 19 points and nine assists, but the Suns got next to nothing from his star backcourt mate. Devin Booker shot just 3 for 14, scoring just 10 points.
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9:50 p.m. -- Bucks win an NBA Finals game for the first time since 1974
The Bucks accomplished something Sunday night that they haven't done in 47 years - win an NBA Finals game. They took down the Phoenix Suns 120-100 in Game 3. Celebrate, Milwaukee!
8:55 p.m. -- Celebrities flock to Fiserv for Game 3
Chance the Rapper, Gucci Mane, David Bakhtiari, Donald Driver, and more are among the dignitaries at Game 3 tonight! Milwaukee is the place to be on this Sunday night.
.@DavidBakhtiari is BACK.... and he brought his DAD along. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/UlByGHqSr5
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 12, 2021
8:21 p.m. -- Bucks up big at the half
That's more like it! The Bucks went on a 30-9 run to end the first half and now lead the Phoenix Suns by 15 points.
7:43 p.m. -- Bucks down three after one quarter
The Suns withstood the energy from the Bucks crowd, and the road team is up three after one quarter. Deandre Ayton show 6-7 for 12 points to lead the Suns.
7:35 p.m. -- Chance the Rapper returns for third straight Bucks home game
Chance the Rapper can't get enough of the Bucks! He's back at Fiserv Forum tonight for his third straight Bucks home game, after attending back-to-back home games during the Eastern Conference Finals.
It's always great to have @chancetherapper in the building!! pic.twitter.com/V75D4aPfwz
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 12, 2021
6:54 p.m. -- Herb Kohl in attendance for Game 3
Former US Senator Herb Kohl is here at Fiserv Forum for Game 3. Kohl sold the Bucks to Wes Edens and Marc Lasry in 2014 with one major condition -- they keep the team in Milwaukee.
Edens and Lasry obliged, and seven years later Kohl is here to watch his former team in the NBA Finals.
You know it’s game day when former US Senator and @Bucks owner Herb Kohl is in the house! He’s given so much to our city - let’s get a win for him and all Bucks fans tonight.#FeartheDeer pic.twitter.com/5mE4MNsfbK
— Charles Benson (@CharlesBenson4) July 11, 2021
6:32 p.m. -- Stars will be in attendance for Game 3
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Ava DuVernay, Chance the Rapper, David Bakhtiari, Donald Driver, Gucci Mane, Marques Johnson, and Sidney Moncrief are expected to be among the celebrity guests at Game 3 of the NBA finals, according to USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt.
Expected in attendance at tonight's Suns-Bucks game:
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 11, 2021
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Ava DuVernay
Chance the Rapper
David Bakhtiari (I imagine he will pound a beer at some point during Game 3)
Donald Driver
Gucci Mane
Marques Johnson
Sidney Moncrief
6:15 p.m. -- Love is in the air!
We have ourselves a Fiserv Forum engagement! Congratulations to Kendrick and Julianne.
PROPOSAL ALERT 💍
— James Groh (@JamesGroh_) July 11, 2021
Kendrick and Julianne had their first date 2 years ago at a Bucks game. Today, they got engaged at the Deer District! pic.twitter.com/6IgIOfquGI
5:17 p.m. -- Fans rush into Deer District as gates open
Pretty cool video from our Digital Reporter James Groh, who captured eager Bucks fans rushing into the Deer District as soon as gates opened at 5 p.m.
As soon as the gates opened, fans SPRINTED inside the Deer District to get the best spot pic.twitter.com/ZlsRTgZcoI
— James Groh (@JamesGroh_) July 11, 2021
4:56 p.m. - Fiserv Forum all dressed up for Game 3
Just look at how beautiful Fiserv Forum is with all the NBA Finals signage - courtesy of Bucks Marketing Manager Dustin Godsey.
All dressed up and ready to go. #HistoryInTheMaking #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/1Bn9jKK5kd
— Dustin Godsey (@dgodz) July 11, 2021
4:08 p.m. -- Bucks on the wrong end of history if they lose tonight
In case you needed a reminder... Lance Allan is here to remind you that no team has ever come back from 0-3 in NBA playoffs history. The Bucks need to win Game 3 tonight if they want to avoid falling into this category.
No NBA team has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the #NBAFinals let alone any playoff series. And only one team has ever rallied from 3-1 down in the Finals. Big games on the home court for the #Bucks
— Lance Allan (@lanceallan) July 11, 2021
3:27 p.m. -- Torrey Craig set to play for Phoenix in Game 3
Though his status coming into Game 3 was uncertain, Suns forward Torrey Craig (who started the season with the Bucks) will indeed play Sunday night, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
Suns F Torrey Craig is indeed planning to play in Game 3, sources tell ESPN. He left Game 2 after tweaking that knee, but MRI was clean and he’s going to give it a go tonight. https://t.co/wmAXtxZiXk
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2021
2:31 p.m. -- Vintage Bucks gear abounds at SayWerd in Milwaukee
If you need a new jersey or just a new piece of merch to bring the Bucks luck, consider giving SayWerd on Oakland Ave. a try. Adriana Mendez went there today.
It’s @Bucks mania!! Saywerd located on Okland Ave has tons of vintage Bucks items. Owner Benny Tralongo is a HUGE Bucks fan and signed the lease to his dream shop 2 weeks before the safer at home order, last year. He said selling vintage Bucks items has helped his business. pic.twitter.com/x3CfqtHVTR
— Adriana Mendez (@AdrianaMendez) July 11, 2021
1:57 p.m. -- Arrive early if you're headed to Fiserv Forum for Game 3
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. this evening for Game 3 at Fiserv Forum, and if you're planning on attending, arena staff advise that you arrive early. Here's what you need to know if you are lucky enough to have tickets for Game 3, from Fiserv's Facebook page:
1:26 p.m. -- Chipotle to hide 20,000 free burritos in Game 3 advertisement
Chipotle will hide 20,000 free burritos in their advertisement during the NBA Finals game Sunday.
They will hide a keyword at the end of the advertisement, and if you spot it and send it to 888-222, you will unlock a free burrito while supplies last.
“The final games of the basketball season are arguably some of the most entertaining moments of the year,” said Chris Brandt, Chief Marketing Officer. “Along with the high-profile player matchups, off-court storylines, and fan interactions, our hidden code giveaway creates another ‘game within the game’ and elevates the viewing experience for our fans during breaks in the action.”
The giveaway will continue for the rest of the finals.
12:58 p.m. -- Suns unsure of Craig's status for Game 3 due to knee injury
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams says reserve forward Torrey Craig’s status for Sunday’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals is uncertain.
Craig hurt his right knee during a collision with a driving Giannis Antetokounmpo in the third quarter of the Suns' 118-108 Game 2 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
Phoenix already is playing without reserve forward Dario Saric due to a torn right anterior cruciate ligament. Saric got hurt in the first quarter of Game 1.
Craig's injury isn't as severe. The Suns own a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.
12:03 p.m. -- Stephen A. Smith on his way to Milwaukee
One of the most-anticipated media guests for Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Milwaukee has to be ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, due to his recent "terrible city" comments about our city. He posted a photo of himself on his private jet on his way to Fiserv Forum:
