Milwaukee Bucks 108-118 Phoenix Suns: 5 Hits and flops as Giannis Antetokounmpo's 42-point effort goes in vain | 2021 NBA Finals

#3 Hit: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

Giannis Antetokounmpo attempts a free-throw

Giannis Antetokounmpo took the Milwaukee Bucks across the finish line against the Phoenix Suns almost singlehandedly tonight. Giannis had a decent first half where he scored 12 points on efficient shooting from the field.

It was the third quarter, where the Greek Freak took over entirely. The Phoenix Suns had taken a 15-point lead, but Giannis scored 13 straight points to retaliate on behalf of the Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 20 points in this period overall.

HUGE Game 2 for @Giannis_An34. ▪️ #NBAPlayoffs career-high 42 PTS▪️ 12 REB, 3 BLK▪️ 20 PTS in 3Q (most in #NBAFinals quarter since MJ in 1993)#ThatsGame Game 3: Sunday, 8 PM ET, ABC pic.twitter.com/Nd3GQcVs1F

— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2021

Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his run in the fourth quarter and finished with 42 points on 15-of-22 shooting. He was dominant on the glass as well and had 12 rebounds. It didn't turn out to be enough for the Bucks, though.

#4 Flop: Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks)

Jrue Holiday checks Chris Paul

Jrue Holiday had an improved outing from the field on Thursday night, but he's still not as good as he needs to be. Holiday scored 17 points on 7-of-21 shooting. He got his Milwaukee Bucks teammates involved with seven assists but failed to get going personally.

Holiday had two steals and two blocks to show for his efforts, but he wasn't truly able to clamp any of the Phoenix Suns players he was guarding. He forced Chris Paul into making some mistakes, but the latter still wound up scoring 23 points on 50% shooting.

#5 Hit: Mikal Bridges (Phoenix Suns)

Mikal Bridges celebrates with Chris Paul after the game

Mikal Bridges arguably had the best performance of his career in Game 2 of the 2021 NBA Finals. He had the hot hand in the first half, especially from downtown. With Chris Paul and Devin Booker still finding their feet, Bridges scored a team-high 13 points during this period to give Phoenix Suns the control.

Mikal Bridges pestered the Milwaukee Bucks on both ends of the court. He played solid defense on Khris Middleton throughout the game. Bridges' three-point shooting cooled off in the second half, but he started cutting to the rim more often and got a few timely buckets to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Mikal Bridges can fly. Confirmed. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XJ6ZU5Bh90

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 9, 2021

Bridges eventually closed out the game for the Phoenix Suns from the free-throw line. He finished with a playoffs career-high 27 points on 8-of-15 shooting and also had seven rebounds.

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