50-year drought finally over
Bucks overcome 0-2 hole for first title since 1971
The explosion of noise inside Fiserv Forum was 50 years in the making.
Outside the building, the population of a decent-sized city in the Deer District also reached a cathartic roar.
The Milwaukee Bucks were back on the NBA mountaintop for the first time since the 1970-71 season.
The Bucks fought off the feisty Phoenix Suns, riding the wondrous talents of their transcendent superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo for a 105-98 victory in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.
After falling behind 0-2, the Bucks took the crown by winning four straight in the best-of-seven series.
Antetokounmpo, who suffered a scary injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, missed two games in that series but was ready in Game 1 vs. the Suns.
He delivered one of the most dominant performances in Finals history with 50 points and 14 rebounds in Game 6. He even knocked down his free throws.
“It means everything,” Antetokounmpo said in the trophy presentation ceremony. “I want to thank the city of Milwaukee for believing in me.”
Bucks guard Khris Middleton, who hit the dagger jumper with just under a minute left, cradled the trophy on the hastily assembled stage after the game.
“Each time, late in the game, (my teammates) telling me to go get the ball,” said Middleton, who had 17 points. “Shoot it, pass it, do whatever you have to do. Be aggressive. They give me all my confidence in the world.”
The victory paid off all those “Bucks in six!” chants that became a mantra for the team's fans this year. The former franchise player who coined that phrase, Brandon Jennings, was in the building and banged the drum to start the raucous evening.
The nerves and adrenaline were evident among the players early with lots of off-target shots.
By the time Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer called a timeout at the 6:51 mark of the first quarter after a threepointer by the Suns' Chris Paul, the teams had combined for 4-for-16 shooting and seven turnovers.
The shots started to fall after the players settled in. The Bucks' Khris Middleton scored seven straight points for the Bucks to take a 15-7 lead.
Bobby Portis, a cult hero among Bucks fans, really ratcheted up the decibel level when he nailed a three-pointer for an 18-11 lead and then another triple for a 21-14 advantage.
Milwaukee closed the first quarter on an 11-2 run in the final 2:07 to take a 2916 lead, getting six points from Antetokounmpo in that stretch.
The Suns scored the first eight points of the second quarter, including five from Cam Payne, to get back into the game.
The Suns took their biggest advantage of the first half at 47-40 when Paul drained a midrange jumper with 22 second left.
Middleton drew a foul on the Bucks' final possession of the first half, and he drained both free throws to send Milwaukee into the locker room trailing, 4742.
Milwaukee's 13 points in the second quarter tied their season low.
The Bucks struggled shooting in the opening 24 minutes, going 3 for 17 (17.6%) on three-pointers. Jrue Holiday was 1 for 11 for two points, but did contribute six assists and five rebounds.
Antetokounmpo led the way in the first half with 17 points while Portis added 10 off the bench.
Paul had 13 points in the first half on 6-for-10 shooting.
Antetokounmpo got Milwaukee going early in the third quarter with a 3point play and then a triple on the wing to get the Bucks within 49-48.
Antetokounmpo then scored six straight points for the Bucks to help grab the lead back at 58-55, prompting Phoenix coach Monty Williams to call a timeout at the 7:27 mark.
The Suns' Jae Crowder had an immediate answer with a three-pointer while getting fouled. He hit the free throw, but Antetokounmpo hit back with a midrange shot.
The Bucks' Brook Lopez then sank three shots in a row, including a monster dunk, to pull ahead, 66-61.
The Suns wouldn't go away despite a rampaging Antetokounmpo. He hit two free throws for a 77-71 lead, giving him 20 points in the third quarter.
Phoenix, however, was able to even the score at 77-77 after Booker sank two free throws with 5.1 seconds left in the third. Holiday missed a three at the buzzer.
Portis gave Milwaukee the lead at 8482 early in the fourth quarter on a baseline runner.
Two free throws from Antetokounmpo made it 90-84. Antetokounmpo was 16 for 17 on free throws at the time.
He added a monster left-handed dunk at the 6:15 mark to increase the advantage to 94-88. The crowd could sense the championship within reach.
Middleton, who often served as the closer for this team, sank a midrange jumper that put the Bucks up, 102-96, with less than a minute left and the party was on in Milwaukee.
With 19.8 seconds and Pat Connaughton on the line, Antetokounmpo waved his arms to the fans while they chanted “Bucks in six!”
He hit 50 points on a free throw just over 10 seconds later.