MANILA – Phoenix Suns bucked a shaky start to prevail over the Milwaukee Bucks, 118-105, in the opener of the NBA best-of-seven Finals on Tuesday night at the Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Chris Paul was solid in his first-ever Finals stint with 32 points, spiked with four triples, to go with nine assists, while Devin Booker posted 27 points, six assists, and three steals as the Suns nabbed a 1-0 lead.
Deandre Ayton tallied a double-double of 22 points and 19 rebounds, Mikal Bridges chipped in 14 markers, while Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson ended up with 10 points each for Phoenix, which returned to the Finals for the first time since 1993.
Milwaukee heated up in the opening round with a slim 18-16 lead behind Khris Middleton’s triple, but Phoenix rallied to score 30-26 via hits from Booker, Payne, and Johnson. The Suns went on with their onslaught and recorded a 45-38 gap on baskets from Paul and Booker.
The Bucks responded to the Suns’ uprising to come to within 47-50. However, back-to-back hits from Bridges earned Phoenix a 57-49 halftime advantage.
Phoenix surged to 68-54 at the onset of the third period behind consecutive shots from Paul and a triple by Bridges. Inside baskets from Ayton stretched the lead to 90-70.
The Bucks made their presence felt in the fourth quarter behind Giannis Antetokounmpo to score 94-101, but the Suns pulled away anew at 112-99. Milwaukee made its last push at 101-113 with two minutes remaining after free throws by Antetokounmpo. However, four straight points by Ayton and a free throw by Jae Crowder ensured the win for Phoenix.
Antetokounmpo made his return from a hyperextended knee injury with 20 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Middleton led the Bucks’ offense with 29 points, including five three-point conversions, while Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday added 17 and 10 markers, respectively.
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 118 – Paul 32, Booker 27, Ayton 22, Bridges 14, Johnson 10, Payne 10, Craig 2, Crowder 1, Kaminsky 0, Saric 0.
MILWAUKEE 105 – Middleton 29, Antetokoumpo 20, Lopez 17, Holiday 10, Connaughton 8, Tucker 7, Forbes 6, Portis 5, Teague 3.
QUARTERSCORES:
30-26; 57-49; 92-76; 118-105./PN
