The Deer District was cheering loud and proud with “Bucks in 6” chants roaring through the city of Milwaukee, as the Bucks pulled the series back to 2 games apiece heading to Phoenix for game 5 Sunday.
Giannis has been near un-guardable this series, averaging just over 32 PPG, 14 RPG and 5.5 APG.
Not bad for someone in his first NBA Finals campaign, especially coming off the gruesome injury he suffered in the Eastern Conference Finals in Atlanta.
Giannis is on a historic pace to be only the 2nd player in NBA Finals history to be named Finals MVP on a losing team, as if this series goes to 7 and Giannis keeps this pace up (and the Bucks lose), it’s hard to argue against him being Finals MVP.
Khris Middleton stepped up to the plate in Game 4 and closed the game out for the Bucks in a tight last Qtr, producing the 3rd 40 point game of the Finals for a Bucks player (2 from Giannis), as he exploded in the 2nd half for 40 Points, 6 Rebounds and 4 Assists.
Middleton had 10 straight for Milwaukee down the stretch, but the game may be remembered for an incredible defensive play from Giannis.
Giannis blocked DeAndre Ayton’s lob throw down attempt with just over a minute to play, a play that’ll be replayed for years to come ala LeBron James’ block on Andre Iguodala if the Bucks can win this series.
Milwaukee will need more offensively from their 3rd star, Jrue Holiday, if they want to steal home court back from the Suns in game 5.
Holiday has really struggled finishing around the rim in this series, going 4-20 from the field in Game 4.
Holiday is a key defensive piece for this team, guarding the likes of Booker and Paul at the other end of the floor, but knowing Jrue, he would not be using this as an excuse for his poor finishing touches offensively.
If he can fine tune this in Game 5, Bucks in 6 chants will reign once again in Milwaukee!
Devin Booker was held to 10 points in Game 3, while also being held out of action in the last Qtr, and you just knew he wasn’t having another night like this in Game 4.
Booker answered the call, coming out firing on all cylinders finishing with 42 points on 17-28 shooting (0 3s made).
Booker is a true delight to watch, as with him, the art of the midrange will forever remain perfect.
Booker’s main issue for the remainder of this series though may be his foul trouble.
Late in the play, Booker should have picked up his 6th foul on a Holiday drive to the basket, only for the officials to turn a blind eye and keep the Suns star in the game.
It is definitely one to watch going forward in the series, as the likes of Holiday and Middleton love playing a little bully ball, as Booker will have to be wiser with his decision making on that end of the floor to stay in games!
It now becomes a best of 3 series, as we return to Phoenix for Game 5 on Sunday, with every game now to be played with Game 7 intensity, as going into a Game 6 with a lead will mean everything for both of these teams come Sunday.
It’s sure to be a belter!
Bauky