3 things Phoenix Suns need to do against Milwaukee Bucks to avoid elimination in Game 6 | 2021 NBA Finals

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2. Make more 3-pointers than the Milwaukee Bucks

Devin Booker #1 shoots against P.J. Tucker #17 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Pat Connaughton #24.

After five games, the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks are tied in total 3-pointers made with 60, but it’s the latter that is winning the NBA Finals so far. That’s because the only time that the Suns led the Bucks in threes in a game was in Game 2.

Devin Booker strikes back!!! It’s a 3 point game with less than 2:00 to go! pic.twitter.com/q5q5uH9yu3

— Bench Bros Sports (@benchbrossports) July 18, 2021

Had it not been for the 20 3-pointers that the Phoenix Suns drained in that Game 2 win, they would be losing the battle of the threes entirely. Between the two teams, it’s the Suns who rely more on outside shooting to win games. They don’t really overpower their opponents with their inside presence, although they have Deandre Ayton who does the dirty work in the paint for them.

The Phoenix Suns have to overwhelm the Bucks with their 3-point shooting. Their current average of 12.0 3-pointers a game isn’t going to cut it. They have to come out with guns blazing and shoot it like there’s no tomorrow because there isn’t one unless they do it. They need to make a minimum of 15 3-pointers while keeping the Bucks to 10 and below to send the NBA Finals to a Game 7.

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3. Control the boards

Deandre Ayton (22) plays for the rebound against P.J. Tucker (17) in Game 2.

It’s not easy to outrebound the bigger and stronger Milwaukee Bucks especially if their only legit rebounder is Ayton. So far, the Bucks have won the battle of the boards, but the Phoenix Suns have been able to keep the margin to a respectable number for the most part.

"Ayton the rebound.. Paul for 3.. BANG!"@Suns up 11 under 2 to play on ABC. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/KYXlKAJ9Pf

— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2021

This is where 3-point shot attempts will come in handy for the Phoenix Suns. Since they are primarily a jump-shooting team, they have to stay true to their identity and keep taking long jumpers and 3-pointers as often as they can. This results in long rebounds when they miss, giving them a chance to grab rebounds outside the paint where they don’t have to contend with the Bucks’ big bodies.

The Bucks are the league’s no. 1 rebounding team in the postseason (48.8 per game), but the Phoenix Suns are no slouches either at no. 7 (43.0). If they can prevent their opponent from grabbing more boards by following this strategy, the Suns have a shot at extending the series to a seventh game.