2021 NBA Finals Game 4 DifferenceMakers

What were the key stats and moments from the Milwaukee Bucks’ series-tying Game 4 win over the Phoenix Suns?

Milwaukee Bucks 109, Phoenix Suns 103

Series tied 2-2

FINAL BOX SCORE

A 15-4 game-ending run, part of a larger 33-21 fourth quarter, propelled the Milwaukee Bucks past the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the finals. That late charge was the difference between facing a 3-1 hole heading back to The Valley on Saturday and turning this series into a Best-of-3 showdown.

On this night, with Bucks legends Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jon McGlocklin in attendance, it wasn’t just Giannis Antetokounmpo dragging his team across the finish line. Granted, he had 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks (including one particularly epic rejection). So he absolutely helped.

No, it was Khris Middleton’s 40 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals leading the way for the Bucks. He established an all-around attack, scoring 12 points in the paint, 12 on non-paint 2’s, nine on 3-pointers, and seven points from the free throw line. Quite a few of those shots were heavily contested as well. Middleton has had his share of inconsistency in these playoffs. But when he does step up, he really comes through for his team.

Phoenix, on the other hand, just couldn’t sustain their rhythm. Devin Booker carried much of the load, bouncing back from his 10-point Game 3 with a game-high 42 points. He had to grind for those points, as he went 0-of-3 from 3-point range. 20 came from the paint, 14 came from mid-range, and eight of them came from the line.

Booker also struggled defensively, collecting five fouls in this game as well as notably dodging two instances that could have gave him his sixth. He had a big scoring night that carried Phoenix much of the way, but it seemed like there were shades in this game of the out-of-sorts Booker from Game 3.

The disappointing play of Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton were the keys to Phoenix’s demise in this game. Ayton managed to grab 17 rebounds and dish out five assists. However, he scored just six points on 3-of-9 shooting. The Bucks interior defense did a good job of crowding Ayton out of the paint and disrupting him on his post shots and putbacks.

Paul was particularly dreadful in this game. He finished with 10 points on 5-of-13 shooting. While he did dish out seven assists, he also coughed up five turnovers in the process. He has now conceded 15 turnovers over the last three games. That’s more than the 13 he surrendered in the Clippers and Nuggets series combined.

Jrue Holiday’s defense played a big role in Chris Paul’s bad time on Wednesday. According to NBA.com tracking data, Holiday defended Paul the longest in Game 4 at five minutes, 12 seconds. In that span, Paul took just three shots (though he made them all) and gave up three of his five turnovers.

Chris Paul was one of the catalysts to the Suns’ epic season and their run to the finals. If Phoenix wants to come away with this title, the veteran will have to figure out how to counter Holiday’s defensive pressure. Otherwise, this series will completely swing back in Milwaukee’s favor.