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The 2021 NBA Finals got off to an exhilarating start with the Phoenix Suns edging out the Milwaukee Bucks 118-105 in Game 1 at home. Chris Paul masterminded the victory once again, but it was, by and large, a team effort from the Suns with six of their players scoring in double digits.
The game started off on equal footing with both teams exchanging blows regularly. Giannis Antetokounmpo's healthy movement during this period was a huge takeaway for the Milwaukee Bucks. It was only late in the second quarter that the Phoenix Suns managed to create some separation.
Monty Williams' men started running away with the show in the third quarter and established a 20-point lead. That's when Khris Middleton rose to the occasion to cut the Milwaukee Bucks' deficit to seven points. But the Phoenix Suns' backcourt duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker retaliated in time to close out the game.
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Without further ado, let's look at the hits and flops from the Phoenix Suns' win against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals.
#1 Hit: Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
Chris Paul made his NBA Finals debut one worth remembering. Paul did not perform to the expectations of Phoenix Suns fans in the first quarter and failed to open his scoring account until the second. But once he got his first point on the board, CP3 didn't look back.
Paul first went on a 6-0 run of his own in the second quarter to give the Phoenix Suns an early cushion in the game. He finished with 11 points in this period. Point God went into overdrive in the third, scoring 16 points. His scoring burst allowed the Suns to establish a 20-point lead over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Paul maneuvered his way around the Bucks' defense, whether it was on defensive switches or drop coverage, and got to his spot almost every time. He was up to his usual playmaking antics in the pick-and-roll with Deandre Ayton too. Paul finished with 32 points on 12-of-19 shooting and also had nine assists to his name.
#2 Flop: Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks)
Brook Lopez had a hot start against the Phoenix Suns and it seemed as if he had carried over his aggression from Game 6 against the Atlanta Hawks where he scored 33 points. Lopez helped the Milwaukee Bucks establish some dominance in the paint on offense. Defensively, though, the Suns feasted on him.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer initially opted to switch everything on defense, but that didn't work out as both Devin Booker and Chris Paul were too quick for Lopez to stay in front of. The Milwaukee Bucks then moved to drop coverage and this allowed the Phoenix Suns' backcourt duo to thrive in mid-range.
The situation became so grim that Brook Lopez had to be taken out of the game with over five minutes left in the third quarter and he did not return to the court. Lopez scored 17 points on 50% shooting, but despite playing just 23 minutes, he had a plus-minus rating of -17, the lowest amongst all Milwaukee Bucks players.
#3 Hit: Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Devin Booker led the offensive charge for the Phoenix Suns in the opening quarter and gave the Milwaukee Bucks plenty of problems. Booker didn't have any trouble penetrating the paint and he was money from mid-range to start the game. He got to the charity stripe often as well, tallying 12 points in the first quarter.
Devin Booker took a backseat the rest of the way as his running mate Chris Paul dominated proceedings. Booker managed to chip in with timely buckets, though, and scored five crucial points in the fourth quarter after the Milwaukee Bucks had cut their deficit to seven points. Booker finished with 27 points, six assists and three steals.
#4 Flop: Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks)
Jrue Holiday was not in his element tonight against the Phoenix Suns. He managed to create good looks for his Milwaukee Bucks teammates and managed nine assists, but he struggled immensely from the field. Holiday finished the game with just 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting.
The biggest letdown, though, came on the defensive end. Jrue Holiday wasn't to blame when Brook Lopez was getting picked on by the Phoenix Suns during switches. But Holiday failed to be effective even when the Milwaukee Bucks employed drop coverage.
He had a tough time getting through screens and just did not do enough to pressure the ball-handler as a trailer. Holiday had a plus-minus rating of -16 for this game.
#5 Hit: Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
Deandre Ayton played his part to perfection today for the Phoenix Suns. He set bulky screens and rolled to the rim to catch lobs that came his way on offense. Ayton established his authority inside the paint to finish with 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
Ayton also dominated the glass on both ends of the court. He was able to box out everyone besides Giannis Antetokounmpo with ease and finished with 19 boards. Ayton's tenacity also allowed him to thrive defensively without getting into foul trouble.
Deandre Ayton became the first player to record at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in his NBA Finals debut since Tim Duncan did it in 1999 with the San Antonio Spurs.
Also read: 5 reasons why Phoenix Suns won 118-105 against Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of 2021 NBA Finals
