Game 2: Phoenix for Three

Milwaukee led after one quarter thanks to domination of the paint. Mikal Bridges kept Phoenix in the game. The Suns burst out to an 11 point lead at halftime thanks to their dead-aim long distance shooting. The importance of the three point shot was in full effect in Game 2. The Bucks would ultimately make 9 on 29% shooting while the Suns knocked down 20 on 50% shooting.

Giannis Antetokounmpo struggled a bit in the first half by his standers. He took over in the second half. The Phoenix crowded mocked his elaborate free throw ritual just as fans in other playoff opponents' cities had. So far, we've learned Phoenix fans don't count as well as those back East. Counting up to 10 can be tricky for some. The quick counts were moderately effective, however. The Greek Freak made 11 out of 18 from the line. Yet, to his credit, he kept taking the ball to the basket.

Topday, there might not be a scarier thing for a defender to see that Giannis Antetokounmpo with the ball at the three point line, his eyes focused on the rim. The only way to stop him is to foul him. While Shaq was a post up player, not a driver, I've experienced bouts of deja vu recently because of Antetokounmpo's dominance of the paint and his suspect free throw shooting. He finished Game 2 with 42 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and a block.

The Suns held a steady if not comfortable lead throughout the second half. Bridges, who led the Suns in scoring in the first half, outscored himself in the second and finished with a highly impactful 27 points, including quite a few late free throws. Devin Booker scored 31 and Chris Paul had a quiet 23 with 8 assists.

While Deandre Ayton (10 pts, 11 rebs) wasn't the same monster as in Game 1, Jae Crowder was much better. He failed to make a single shot from the floor in Game 1, but, along with Bridges, was an early spark in Game 2. He added 11 points and 10 boards. While Cam Johnson had another productive day off the bench, the Suns got thinner when Torey Craig became injured. Dario Saric already wasn't able to play.

For the Bucks, Pat Connaughton was the sole productive bench player and the only effective outside shooter. In 34 minutes he scored 14 on 4 of 9 from downtown and grabbed 7 caroms. P.J. Tucker has played well in a starting role.

The Bucks real problem isn't Giannis's free throw shooting or a lack of depth. Milwaukee's issue in the first two games has been the lackluster play of Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. The Bucks need a third scorer and Holiday is a perfect fit. But he couldn't throw it in the ocean in Game 1. He came out aggressive in Game 2 and continued to struggle He scored just 17 on 21 shots. He dished it off for 7 buckets, but part of Holiday's excellence comes on the defensive floor. In this series, he's had some good stretches, but not enough as Paul and Booker have played well.

Holiday's shooting woes aren't the only reason Jrue hasn't yet been a capable third scorer this series. The Buicks haven't had a second scorer either. Khris Middleton is one of the best second bananas in the league, but has been squashed. While he stacked up 8 assists, he only scored 11 on 16 shots. Middleton is the type of guy who can go for 30 without breaking much of a sweat, but the Suns have thus far locked him down.

Phoenix matched their Game 1 total of 118 while the Bucks finished with 108. The Suns now have a 2-0 lead. Game 1 marked their first ever series lead in the NBA Finals.