Walking into Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Suns and Bucks, I had this gut feeling we were in for a defensive slugfest. Both teams had traded blows in the first two games, but there was something about the way the Bucks adjusted defensively in Game 2 that made me think they weren’t going down without a serious fight. And boy, was I right. The final score—87-85 in favor of the Bucks—tells you almost everything you need to know. It was gritty, it was tense, and honestly, it was one of those games where every possession felt like it carried the weight of the entire series. With this win, Milwaukee grabbed a 2-1 series lead, completely shifting the momentum and putting the Suns in a position they haven’t been in all postseason: facing real, tangible pressure.
Let’s start with the numbers, because they paint such a vivid picture of just how dominant the defenses were. The Bucks held the Suns to just 85 points, a staggering 20 points below their regular-season average. Phoenix shot a miserable 38% from the field and an even more concerning 28% from beyond the arc. Devin Booker, who had been spectacular in the first two games, was held to just 18 points on 7-of-21 shooting. I’ve watched Booker all season, and seeing him struggle to find clean looks against Jrue Holiday’s relentless defense was something I didn’t expect. On the other side, Giannis Antetokounmpo put up another monster stat line—32 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks—but even he had to work for every single bucket. The Suns threw double-teams at him, forced him into tough mid-range jumpers, and for the most part, it worked. But what stood out to me was Milwaukee’s supporting cast stepping up in critical moments. Khris Middleton, though inconsistent, hit a couple of huge shots down the stretch, and Brook Lopez’s rim protection was absolutely pivotal.
From a tactical standpoint, this game was a masterclass in adjustments. The Bucks decided to switch more on pick-and-rolls, which disrupted the Suns’ fluid ball movement. Chris Paul, who had been surgical in Games 1 and 2, was limited to just 12 points and 5 assists. I’ve always believed that playoff series are won by the team that can adapt faster, and Milwaukee’s coaching staff deserves a ton of credit here. They identified the Suns’ reliance on the pick-and-roll and took it away, forcing Phoenix into isolations and contested jumpers. On offense, the Bucks pounded the paint relentlessly, outscoring the Suns 48-34 inside. They also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds compared to Phoenix’s 7. Those second-chance points were the difference in a game where scoring was at a premium.
Now, I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect the Suns to struggle this much. They’ve been so disciplined all postseason, but in Game 3, they looked out of sync. Their ball movement, which is usually so crisp, was stagnant. They turned the ball over 15 times, leading to 18 points for the Bucks. Deandre Ayton, who had been a revelation in the playoffs, was limited to just 8 rebounds and found himself in foul trouble early. I’ve been a huge fan of Ayton’s growth, but tonight, he seemed a step slow against Giannis’s athleticism. On the flip side, the Bucks’ physicality clearly bothered Phoenix. They were more aggressive, they attacked the rim with purpose, and they played with a level of desperation that I hadn’t seen from them earlier in the series.
What really stood out to me, though, was the mental toughness Milwaukee displayed. Down the stretch, when the game was on the line, they made the winning plays. Giannis blocking a potential game-tying layup, Holiday coming up with a crucial steal, and Middleton hitting a tough fadeaway jumper—those are the moments that define championship teams. I’ve been covering the NBA for over a decade, and I’ve seen plenty of teams fold under pressure. But the Bucks? They embraced it. They looked like a team that believed they could win, even when the offense wasn’t flowing perfectly.
Looking ahead, the Suns have some serious soul-searching to do. They need to find a way to generate easier baskets, whether that’s through more off-ball movement or involving Ayton more in the offense. Defensively, they have to find an answer for Giannis without leaving shooters open on the perimeter. It’s a tough balancing act, but if anyone can figure it out, it’s Monty Williams. For the Bucks, the challenge will be sustaining this level of intensity. They can’t afford to relax, not even for a second. If they do, the Suns have more than enough firepower to make them pay.
In the end, this game was a reminder of why we love playoff basketball. It’s not always about pretty offense or highlight-reel dunks. Sometimes, it’s about grinding it out, making the tough plays, and refusing to back down. The Bucks did exactly that, and now they’re in the driver’s seat. But as any basketball fan knows, a series isn’t over until one team wins four games. And something tells me the Suns aren’t going away quietly.
