Suns 103 vs 109 Bucks: scores, summary, stats, highlights | NBA Finals Game 4
The Milwaukee Bucks drew level with the Phoenix Suns after a pivotal win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Khris Middleton rose to the occasion on the biggest game of the season, leading Milwaukee to the 109-103 victory at the Fiserv Forum.
There was never more than a nine point lead for either team throughout the course of a game. Phoenix had the advantage for almost the entirety of Wednesday’s game, but Middleton and the Bucks showed once again that they are nearly impossible to beat at home in this years postseason.
Bucks defend home court yet again
The Bucks have only dropped one game at home in the playoffs, and that was to Atlanta in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The last regular season home loss came at the hands of the Phoenix Suns in an overtime thriller on April 20th.
Phoenix got out to an early lead thanks to a slow start for the Bucks. For a second straight game Giannis Antetokounmpo went to the bench just minutes into the Game. He returned shortly after, but seemed to be a step slow and took just one shot through the first nine minutes of play.
Miwaukee survive a slow first quarter
The Bucks went down by as many as 9 in the opening quarter due to a poor shooting start that saw them hit just 8 of 25 shots. Giannis came to life in the second quarter, and Khris Middleton carried the home side to take a brief lead in the shortly before half-time.
Devin Booker put his poor Game 3 performance in the rear view, getting involved early on. He went to the halftime break with 20 points, but no other Phoenix player had more than 7 at the break.
Middleton takes the stage in Game 4
Deandre Ayton did a great defensive job containing Giannis and keeping him from attacking the basket at will. It seemed to stutter the offense of the the Bucks for the first two quarters, but Middleton came out of the locker room in take over mode.
Booker and Middleton went toe-to-toe like two heavyweights exchanging blows in the third. Middleton had 12 points in the third quarter and briefly gave the Bucks a rare lead, while Booker scored 18 going a perfect seven for seven from the field.
Booker's 42 wasn't enough for Suns
Booker was rolling going into the fourth, and the Suns stretched the lead out to 9 with the first basket of the fourth. But the Suns top scorer picked up his fifth foul with more than 10 minutes to go in the game and the Suns saw their advantage dwindle.
Phoenix led until deep into the fourth quarter, when Middleton caught fire and scored eight straight points to give the Bucks a late lead which they would protect until the end of Game 4.
Three 40 point performances for Bucks in NBA Finals
Middleton ended the Game with 40 points on 15 of 33 shooting. It was the third straight 40 point performance for the Bucks in the Finals after Giannis scored over 40 in the last two games. The Greek ended the night with 26 points 14 rebonds and 8 assists.
Devin Booker ended the night with 42 points, but got very little help from his supporting cast. Jae Crowder scored 15 but Chris Paul was absent for large portions of the game scoring just 10 points.
Bucks no strangers to an 0-2 hole
This is the second time this postseason the Bucks have come back from 2-0 to tie the series at 2-2. The first time was against the Brooklyn Nets when they needed a Game 7 to advance.
The series now heads back to Arizona for Game 5. Neither team has lost at home so far in the series, but Milwaukee will be hoping to change that on Saturday night. Tip off from the Phoenix Suns Arena is set from 9 pm ET/ 6 PT.
The Milwaukee Bucks drew level with the Phoenix Suns after a pivotal win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Khris Middleton rose to the occasion on the biggest game of the season, leading Milwaukee to the 109-103 victory at the Fiserv Forum.
There was never more than a nine point lead for either team throughout the course of a game. Phoenix had the advantage for almost the entirety of Wednesday’s game, but Middleton and the Bucks showed once again that they are nearly impossible to beat at home in this years postseason.
Bucks remain rocks solid at home
The Bucks have only dropped one game at home in the playoffs, and that was to Atlanta in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The last regular season home loss came at the hands of the Phoenix Suns in an overtime thriller on April 20th.
Phoenix got out to an early lead thanks to a slow start for the Bucks. For a second straight game Giannis Antetokounmpo went to the bench just minutes into the Game. He returned shortly after, but seemed to be a step slow and took just one shot through the first nine minutes of play.
Miwaukee overcome a slow first quarter
The Bucks went down by as many as 9 in the opening quarter due to a poor shooting start that saw them hit just 8 of 25 shots. Giannis came to life in the second quarter, and Khris Middleton carried the home side to take a brief lead in the shortly before half-time.
Devin Booker put his poor Game 3 performance in the rear view, getting involved early on. He went to the halftime break with 20 points, but no other Phoenix player had more than 7 at the break.
Middleton takes the stage in Game 4
Deandre Ayton did a great defensive job containing Giannis and keeping him from attacking the basket at will. It seemed to stutter the offense of the the Bucks for the first two quarters, but Middleton came out of the locker room in take over mode.
Booker and Middleton went toe-to-toe like two heavyweights exchanging blows in the third. Middleton had 12 points in the third quarter and briefly gave the Bucks a rare lead, while Booker scored 18 going a perfect seven for seven from the field.
Booker's 42 was enough for Suns
Booker was rolling going into the fourth, and the Suns stretched the lead out to 9 with the first basket of the fourth. But the Suns top scorer picked up his fifth foul with more than 10 minutes to go in the game and the Suns saw their advantage dwindle.
Phoenix led until deep into the fourth quarter, when Middleton caught fire and scored eight straight points to give the Bucks a late lead which they would protect until the end of Game 4.
Three 40 point performances for Bucks in Finals
Middleton ended the Game with 40 points on 15 of 33 shooting. It was the third straight 40 point performance for the Bucks in the Finals after Giannis scored over 40 in the last two games. The Greek ended the night with 26 points 14 rebonds and 8 assists.
Devin Booker ended the night with 42 points, but got very little help from his supporting cast. Jae Crowder scored 15 but Chris Paul was absent for large portions of the game scoring just 10 points.
Bucks no strangers to an 0-2
This is the second time this postseason the Bucks have come back from 2-0 to tie the series at 2-2. The first time was against the Brooklyn Nets when they needed a Game 7 to advance.
The series now heads back to Arizona for Game 5. Neither team has lost at home so far in the series, but Milwaukee will be hoping to change that on Saturday night. Tip off from the Phoenix Suns Arena is set from 9 pm ET/ 6 PT.
Giannis with the easiest two of his night.
The Bucks win Game 4 and we are headed back to Arizona with the NBA Finals tied at 2-2
Paul gets the lay up for the last basket off the game.
Holiday goes to the line, and hits two of two.
Middleton back to the line where he hits two of two. He's got 40 tonight.
Booker with and easy drive to the lane.
Booker misses the lay up, Middleton fouled, goes to the line and hits two of two.
Paul turned it over and Middleton went to the rack strong off the feed from Holiday.
Under 30 seconds to go in the fourth.
Middleton's jumper from the FT line is good.
Middleton with the fader from the right side.
Crowder to the line after Giannis picks up his third foul. Both FTs good for Crowder.
Booker high off the glass with the floater. He's got 40 now.
Connaughton from downtown with an open three in the corner.
Timeout Suns with 3:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
Giannis gets the loose ball under the basket after it looked like Booker could have picked up his sixth but a no call gives the Bucks an open look and they trail by just one.
Under 4 minutes in the fourth
Connaughton on the follow up off the Middleton missed three.
5:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
Johnson on the baseline with the mid range jumper.
Middleton off the glass in the lane.
Crowder fouled by Tucker on the three ball. Tucker picks up his fifth. Crowder hits thee of three.
Giannis left all alone down low for a dunk.
Timeout Milwaukee with 7:09 to go in the fourth quarter.
Crowder to the line after the Connaughton foul on the rebound. The Suns are already in the bonus. One of two FTs good for Crowder.
7:43 to go in the fourth.
Giannis one the steal and slam off the out of bounds play for the Suns.
MIddleton posting up Payne and finishes of the glass.
Paul gets the roll off the short jumper in the lane.
Giannis to the line after the Crowder foul, Giannis makes one of two FTs.
Johnson on the baseline mid range jumper
Holiday inside and gets the floater to go.
Booker just picked up his fifth foul trying to box out Tucker.
Connaughton punches back with another three.
Johnson drops a three out of the quarter change.
The third quarter comes to an end from Milwaukee. The Suns lead by 6.
Booker with a floater in the lane over two big bodies down low.
MIddleton answers back with a three ball from the corner.
Payne rattles home a three, a a quick 7-0 run for the Suns.
Booker goes to the line, and hits two of two. He's got 36.
Booker with a deep two over Connaughton.
MIddleton gets one of two to go, Lopez get the tap in.
Middleton fouled, he'll go to the line after the timeout. 2:37 left in the third quarter.
Booker fading away from traffic in the paint.
Payne finishes high off the glass off the drive on the left side.
Connaughton drops a three ball, his first FG of the night.
Under 4 minutes to go in the third quarter.
Giannis fouled by Paul, goes to the line and hits one of two.
MIddleton pulls up with a mid range J.
Holiday on the baseline finds Giannis cutting down the lane for an easy dunk.
Paul with the pull up from the elbow.
Middleton draws a foul on Booker. Thats his fourth foul. Middleton at the line hits two of two.
Booker fouled by Tucker on the three point shot. Two of three FTs good for Booker. He's got 30 now.
Giannis beats everyone down the floor and gets the easy dunk.
Middleton drops it form the elbow.
Booker from the top of the key with a long two.
Booker spinning at the elbow and pulls up over Holiday
Lopez to the line, and hits two of two.
Booker going left and finishing with the left.
Giannis steps back outside the paint and hits over Ayton.
Booker whistled for the foul and the refs are taking a look as to if it's a clear path foul. It was ruled a common foul.
Booker with a long range deuce.
Crowder from the top of the key to get the scoring going in the third quarter.
We are back in play in the second half from Fiserv Forum.
Booker has 20, but the next highest scorer for the Suns is Bridges with 7.
MIddleton leads the Bucks with 16, Giannis has 12 and Lopez has 10.
Giannis has 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists through two quarters
Middleton was the focal point of the Bucks offense in the first half. He's got 16 points on 7-15 shooting.
Booker has bounced back in a big way tonight after struggling last game. Booker has 20 thorugh the first half.
The first half is over from Fiserv Forum with both teams even at 52.
MIddleton spots up from the top of the key. He's got 16 points in the first half.
Giannis on the easy lay up after Middleton's lob.
Bridges in the corner for three
Timeout Suns with 1:33 to go in the second quarter.
Holiday gets inside and drops the lay in from close range.
Booker with a tough shot on the baseline fading away. He's got 20 already tonight.
2:30 to go in the second quarter.
Payne pulls up from outside the lane for the mid range jumper.
Holiday goes two for two from the line.
Tucker fouls Booker, who goes to the line and hits two of two.
Lopez gets credit for the basket after Ayton swiped it from the cylinder and whistled for a goaltending.
Booker fading away from the elbow. He's got 16 points.
Booker with back to back buckets, this time from outside the lane.
Giannis goes to the line and hits two of two
Booker with the finger roll over Lopez.
Payne gets in the paint and connects.
Middleton off the dribble with the mid range jumper.
Booker off the dribble from just inside the arc.
Lopez to the line after the Crowder foul. Both FTs good for Lopez.
MIddleton has 11, he's the first to double digits for either team.
MIddleton with the pull up jumper out of the timeout.
Timeout from the Fiserv Forum with 6:50 to go in the second quarter.
Lopez beats everyone down the floor and gets the alley oop from MIddleton.
Lopez to the line, gets both to drop.
Crowder knocks down another three ball.
Holiday showing some strength down low goes up over Booker and gets the foul. FT is good to complete the three point play.
Craig left all alone after Paul finds him cutting down the lane for a dunk.
Giannis with a two handed jam off the Teague assist.
Crowder rattles in a three ball.
Giannis goes coast to coast and gets the lay up to go
MIddleton shuffles to the rack on the baseline and finishes with the left hand.
Craig to the line after being fouled by Portis. Both FTs good for Phoenix.
Booker leads the Suns with 8 points. MIddleton has 7 for the Bucks through the first quarter.
The first quarter comes to a close in Milwaukee. Something to keep an eye on is Giannis, who went to the bench early on for a second staright game.
Holiday gets the lay up in the lane after the feed from Connaughton.
Johnson off the bench and on the board with a three from the left corner.
Teague to the line, hits both FTs.
Ayton gets an easy look off the alley oop from Booker.
Giannis on the tip slam after airballing a three that was collected by Portis down low.
Portis strings a three from the corner. Suns take a timeout with 3:25 to go in the first quarter.
MIddleton pulls up from a step inside the arc.
Ayton gets the roll off the turn around jump hook
Giannis in the lane where he has been so good this series.
Bridges with a jumper from the FT line.
Booker goes to the line, after Lopez picks up his second foul. Both FTs good for Booker.
MIddleton steps back and drills a three.
Booker gets his own rebound and the put back, he's got 6 points.
Ayton is on the board with a dunk after the feed from Crowder. Timeout Bucks with 8:29 to go in the opening quarter.
Bridges spots up from the elbow.
Paul cuts to the basket after the Ayton pass inside.
Booker with a floater down the lane.
Lopez left open after Giannis comes out a scramble on the floor with the ball.
Middleton gets the lay up to go off the Tucker steal.
Suns go right to Booker after a tough shooting night last game. Book hits the elbow jumper.
We are underway in Game 4 of the NBA FInals.
The Nathional Anthem is sounding around the Fiserv Forum, and we are moments away from tip off in Milwaukee.
After comparisons to MJ popped up Giannis says he still has room to grow "It always comes back to me. ... I know there's a bigger picture. I know how I am. Going down the line, down the road, I think I can get better. I don't feel like I'm there yet. I feel like I can get better. I feel like I can get way better."
The Bucks have only lost once in the postseason at home. The loss came last round when they lost by three to the Atlanta Hawks. Their last home loss in the regular season was on April 20th… against the Phoenix Suns…. In Overtime.
Accoriding to Bet365.com the Bucks are a 4.5 point favorite coming into tonight's Game 4, with the Over/Under set at
Chris Paul's strategy on defending Giannis "We're going to keep trying to build a wall. He's coming full speed every play, downhill like a running back,"
"They took it to us. No other way to look at it," said Suns coach Monty Williams about the Bucks performance in Game 3.
Devin Booker struggled last game, after posting 30+ in the Game 2 win in Arizona. Phoenix don’t need him to be terrific overnight, but when he struggles from the field the Suns seem to struggle.
The goal for the Suns tonight is clear, head back to Phoenix with a chance to take the series on their home court when they return for Game 5.
Only Giannis, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have posted back to back 40 and 10 games in the NBA Finals.
For a second straight game the Suns had no answer to Giannis Antetokounmpo who posted over 40 points and 10 rebounds for a second straight game.
The Bucks clawed their way back into the series in the series opener in Milwaukee with a blowout win of the Suns to take the series to 2-1
Hello everyone and welcome to the Fiserv Forum. We are just over an hour away from tipping off Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Hello everyone and welcome to the Fiserv Forum for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. AS English will keep you up to date with live coverage, updates, stats and scores of tonight’s pivotal matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns.
The Bucks came back to life on Sunday after going down 2-0 in Arizona with a blowout win in their return to the Wisconsin. Giannis Antetokounmpo had yet another incredible playoff performance, posting his second straight 40 point 10 rebound game of the finals. He became just the third played in league history to post those numbers in back to back games in the NBA Finals.
The Bucks offense finally looked like the top scoring team from this years regular season on Sunday night. They scored an average of 106.5 in the first two games in Phoenix, but amped up the offense with 120 points in Game 3.
Giannis led the way with 41 points and 13 rebounds, showing that his left knee, which he hyperextended last round, is more than healed. The Greek is back to his best and last game he got a big helping hand from Jrue Holiday's 21 points and nine assists.
The Phoenix Suns gave up big runs at the end of the second and third quarter to fade away from the Bucks going into the fourth quarter. A 30-9 run in the first half put the Bucks in commanding position. The Suns got to within six in the third but a 16-0 right before the fourth quarter put the game on ice.
Chris Paul led the Suns scorers with 19 points and nine assists, while Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton had 18. Devin Booker struggled from the field shooting just 3 of 14 shooting ending the night with 10 points.
Milwaukee has lost just one game at home this postseason. They will look to keep up the nearly perfect form in the Fiserv Forum to draw the series even. The Suns have a chance to return home with an opportunity to wrap up the title on their home court with a win tonight.
Game 4 is set to tip off from Milwaukee at 9 pm ET/ 6 PT.