2021 NBA Finals Game 2 DifferenceMakers

What were the key stats and moments behind the Phoenix Suns’ Game 2 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks?

Phoenix Suns 118, Milwaukee Bucks 108

Suns lead series 2-0

The first quarter of Game 2 featured the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns showing their offensive proficiency on opposite sides of the 3-point line. The Suns went 8-of-14 from beyond the arc, the Bucks went 11-of-24 within it. Whichever team could even out their shot distribution would end up this game’s victor.

The Phoenix Suns righted the ship first. In the second quarter they managed to outscored Milwaukee 14-6 in the paint. By also chipping in three triples, PHX came away with a 30-16 second period. Much like their third quarter in Game 1, this outburst was enough of a cushion to carry the Valley Boyz the rest of the way.

The Suns absolutely scorched the nets from 3-point range. They knocked down a franchise-playoff-record 20 3-pointers. Their 40 long range attempts are the second-most in franchise playoff history. It’s bested only by the 42 they put up in Game 5 of this year’s first round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 31 points. It was only a slight step up in point total from his 27 in Game 1. However, it was a marked improvement in efficiency from the field. Booker shot 38.1 percent and went 1-of-8 from 3 in the series opener, but shot 48.0 percent from the field and 7-of-12 from distance in Game 2.

Jae Crowder also locked back in after scoring just one point and going 0-of-8 in Game 1. He logged 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and a steal in Game 2. Mikal Bridges elevated his solid Game 1 performance by dropping a playoff-career-high 27 points on Thursday night. Chris Paul (23 points, eight assists) and Deandre Ayton (10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals, two blocks) also had good evenings.

The Milwaukee Bucks, once again, couldn’t match Phoenix’s energy. Early on, their size advantage seemed to play a bigger role than in Game 1. The Bucks managed to hold the Suns to 1-of-9 shooting on 2-point shots. However, the Suns shot 56.4 percent inside the arc from the second quarter through the final buzzer.

Offensively, the Bucks outscored Phoenix in the paint 54-28. That success was negated by their 9-of-31 performance from 3-point range. That 29.0 percent efficiency isn’t great on a normal night, let alone when the opponent is having an otherworldly night from beyond the arc.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had his own night for the ages. His 42 points are a new playoff personal best. He also tacked on 12 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks to his ledger.

Sadly, his other Bucks teammates didn’t join him on the pantheon. The same coalition that helped Milwaukee advance to this round failed to delivered for a second straight game. The quartet of Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis combined for just 38 points on 17-of-49 (34.7 percent) shooting.

This output from The Others was particularly frustrating because it happens in a game where Giannis was back to his elite self and Mike Budenholzer was legitimately making in-game adjustments throughout the night.

When the star — who is still playing in the wake of his hyperextended left knee — and the normally-stubborn coach are digging deep to get the win, you would hope the rest of the team would follow suit. Unfortunately, the Bucks’ role players have come up short in the first two games of this series. We’ll see on Sunday if the home rims of Fiserv Forum will bring them better returns.