Paul carries Suns past Giannis, Bucks in NBA Finals opener
By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer
PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Paul had 32 points and nine assists, Devin Booker scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the returning Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks 118-105 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Paul scored 16 points during a sensational third quarter that had Phoenix fans who waited 28 years to see the NBA Finals again screaming in delight.
Finally playing for the title in his 16th season, the star point guard has the Suns in the NBA Finals for only the third time, and it sure looked as if they could make this one different than the other two.
PHOENIX (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Bucks lose to the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, 118-105.
#Bucks drop Game 1 of the NBA Finals 118-105
— Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) July 7, 2021
The Bucks lose Game 1. Like they did against the Nets. And the Hawks.
— Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) July 7, 2021
If the previous two series against Brooklyn and Atlanta are any indication, the @Bucks got the @Suns right where they want them.
— Victor Jacobo (@victorjacobo_) July 7, 2021
PHOENIX (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Bucks trail the Phoenix Suns 92-75 after three quarters.
Chris Paul and Devin Booker helping the Suns grow their lead. #Bucks trail the Suns 92-75 after three quarters
— Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) July 7, 2021
.@Bucks losing this game at the charity stripe. @Suns have made 17 more free throws than Milwaukee and lead by 16
— Brendan Cullerton (@BCullerton) July 7, 2021
#Bucks are down 16 in the third quarter. Chris Paul (19) and Devin Booker (18) points are doing whatever they want pretty much
— Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) July 7, 2021
Stats from the first half of the #NBAFinals.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
The Milwaukee Bucks trail 57-49 at half.
Giannis is flying all-round out there. 10 points, 9 rebounds in 16 minutes but the #Bucks trail 57-49 at the half.
— Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) July 7, 2021
Bucks will need to make an adjustment on the PnR defense. Similar to other series.
At the half. pic.twitter.com/jYZprUQdxG
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
#BucksIn6pic.twitter.com/VWuJR10Btc
— Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) July 7, 2021
The Phoenix Suns are leading after the first quarter, 30-26.
Through the first 12 minutes of the #NBAFinals: pic.twitter.com/iNlWlT7W1l
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
End of the first. Good news for the #Bucks: Giannis looks good with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in his first game since last Tuesday.
— Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) July 7, 2021
Bad news: Suns with the early lead up 30-26 after one.
Back-to-back semi-transition 3s for the Suns leads to a #Bucks timeout. Suns lead 24-20 early. Giannis played 5 minutes early and is 1-1, 2-4 FT line and has 4 points.
— Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) July 7, 2021
The sound through the monitor of @Suns fans counting seconds of Giannis’s free throws is almost as loud through the monitor as the @Bucks fans cheers when he sinks it pic.twitter.com/I9S0NBGqJY
— Brendan Cullerton (@BCullerton) July 7, 2021
Game on!!!
— Jessob Reisbeck (@Jessob_Reisbeck) July 7, 2021
Let’s go @Bucks!! #FearTheDeer@CBS58pic.twitter.com/GfaGH0jhY4
PHOENIX (CBS 58) --- The Milwaukee Bucks have officially announced that Giannis Antetokounmpo will play in Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals on Tuesday, July 6.
Giannis is AVAILABLE and will start in Game 1 of the #NBAFinals. pic.twitter.com/S9fVRNI5j6
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
PHOENIX (CBS 58) --- Giannis Antetokounmpo will play in Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals on Tuesday, July 6, according to reports.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) will play tonight in Game 1 of The Finals against the Phoenix Suns, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 7, 2021
We should get official actives and inactives shortly https://t.co/cWX7rzQ8H7
— Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) July 7, 2021
With all due respect to the professional nature of my job…
— Kevin Holden (blue check mark) (@321cuekevin) July 7, 2021
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIIO https://t.co/G2UTUhCokd
LETS GO https://t.co/yUkO4tAjQR
— Brendan Cullerton (@BCullerton) July 7, 2021
PHOENIX (CBS 58) --- Milwaukee Bucks Coach Mike Budenhozler said Giannis Antetokounmpo is progressing, but still questionable for Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals on Tuesday, July 6.
Budenhozler said they have to see how Antetokounmpo performs in the pregame routine and get feedback from him, as well as medical staff before a decision is made.
Bucks vs. Suns tip off is set for 8 p.m.
Coach Mike Budenhozler said once again Giannis Antetokounmpo is progressing but will have to see how he performs in the pregame routine, get feedback from him and the medical staff before a decision is made for tonight’s game
— Darius Joshua (@DariusJoshuaTV) July 6, 2021
Though no word has officially been given whether Antetokounmpo will play in Game 1, the Milwaukee Bucks tweeted a video of him warming up.
Giannis warms up ahead of #NBAFinals Game 1. pic.twitter.com/aUZ21XKBeJ
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
PHOENIX (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Bucks will take on the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night, July 6. Ahead of tip-off, all eyes are on Giannis Antetokounmpo and whether his knee injury will keep him off the court.
Tuesday, the Greek Freak is listed as "questionable." He missed the last two games of the Eastern Conference Finals with a hyperextended knee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable (left knee hyperextension) for #NBAFinals Game 1 tonight. pic.twitter.com/Jo6sn8OBXQ
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 6, 2021
Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said Giannis is doing "court work" but wouldn't elaborate.
CBS Sports experts are split on the series; five picking the Suns and three going with the Bucks.
Playoff fan favorite Bobby Portis Junior said the Bucks' playoff run has prepared them for the finals.
Rise and Grind! Stay locked in!
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) July 6, 2021
"Miami, they're a tough-minded team. They bring a physicality to the game, they try to dog you out. They play hard, play physical. Brooklyn, they were different, they play small ball, had three of the best players in the world on one team," said Portis. "The Hawks were a young team, going to be a tough team for years to come. This team, they have a Hall of Famer in Chris Paul that's led young guys to the NBA Finals."
Bucks vs. Suns tip off is set for 8 p.m.