Giannis’ help absent during Game 2 defeat
PHOENIX — The Milwaukee Bucks can’t ask for much more from Giannis Antetokounmpo than what he delivered.
The Bucks need to ask for more from guards Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton.
Playing in his second game since missing the final two of the Eastern Conference finals with a hyperextended left knee, Antetokounmpo had 42 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal in the Phoenix Suns’ 118-108 victory against Milwaukee in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
Not that Antetokounmpo can’t do that in the next two games at home in Fiserv Forum. He can. But it feels like the Bucks squandered a tremendous performance from their two-time MVP and a chance to win on the road because Holiday and Middleton had poor offensive performances.
Holiday scored 17 points, Middleton had 11 and they were a combined 12for-37 from the field and 2-for-9 on 3pointers.
Holiday and Middleton were outscored 54-28 by Devin Booker and Chris Paul and have been outscored 113-67 by their backcourt counterparts in the two games.
“Knocking down some shots would make life a lot better for us,” Middleton said. “In the first half, I had more than a few go just in and out for me. So, that’s that. I’ll take them over and over again. Just didn’t hit them in the second half.”
In the 40 minutes Antetokounmpo played, the Bucks were three points better than the Suns. Even though Phoenix has led for six of the eight quarters, the Bucks in the fourth quarter were within two possessions in Game 2 and three possessions in Game 1. It’s hard to see down 2-0, but the Bucks aren’t that far from a 1-1 series.
And yet, 1-1 and 2-0 are miles apart — 2-1 narrows the distance and 3-0 is a galaxy away. The tone of the series depends on the outcome of Game 3 on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ABC).
The Bucks struggled at the point guard position with Eric Bledsoe in the past two postseasons. They made a huge trade, sending three future firstround picks to New Orleans for Holiday and then investing in Holiday with fouryear, $134.9 million extension.
It has been worth it. The Bucks reached the Finals for the first time since 1974, and after falling short with Antetokounmpo and Middleton the past two seasons. Holiday made a difference this season.
He delivered in earlier rounds, especially against Atlanta in the conference finals scoring 52 points, delivering 22 assists and playing great defense in the final two games of the series without Antetokounmpo.
Against Phoenix, Holiday is 11-for-35 from the field and 1-for-7 on 3-pointers. He’s still playing defense, but Milwaukee needs more offense from him.
“I’ll continue to be aggressive,” Holiday said. “It’s the only thing I really can do is put pressure on the rim and try to spread out for 3s.”
It’s a tough assignment for Holiday. On the other end, he has to guard multiple players, including Paul and Booker, who are gifted shot-makers from all over the court.
“Jrue got some good looks,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “I actually think there’s some opportunities where he can be even more aggressive. He’s got to be aggressive from the 3point (line). He’s got to be aggressive getting to the paint, and he was . ... ”