The Milwaukee Bucks secured their first victory of the 2021 NBA Finals in a 120-100 Game 3 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night at Fiserv Forum.
While the story of the night is a dominant performance by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the supporting cast stepped up alongside their leader.
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With players like Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton stepping up, the Bucks have drawn one win closer to an NBA championship and the Bucks got what they sorely needed earlier in this series.
With that being said, let’s break down some of the biggest individual performances from the Milwaukee Bucks supporting cast over their resounding Game 3 win.
Jrue Holiday bounces back in a big way in the Milwaukee Bucks’ Game 3 win
In the first two games of the NBA Finals, Jrue Holiday was not performing Bucks fans expected him to.
After shooting a combined 11-35 from the field in the first two games, Holiday bounced back to help Milwaukee secure a victory. In Game 3, Holiday notched 21 points, the second-highest on the team.
The most impressive element of his performance was his shooting from beyond the arc as Holiday shot 5-for-10 from three, matching the most he’s hit in game over this playoff run. Of course, Holiday is not only limited to his offensive ability. Holiday tacked on a steal and a block to his stat sheet as the primary defender on Chris Paul. Furthermore, Holiday finished with the highest plus-minus on the team with a +22.
Although Bucks fans were critical of Holiday’s recent playoff performances, he took a big step forward in a must-win game for Milwaukee. Holiday has the ability to take over games and while Giannis was the dominant player and the story of the night, Holiday did everything he needed to do to help the Bucks take the victory.
If Holiday is able to replicate this type of performance, Milwaukee should feel confident in its facilitator going forward.
Khris Middleton gives a quality performance in the Milwaukee Bucks’ Game 3 win
Following a measly 11-point outing in Game 2, Middleton took a step up with a quality performance in Game 3.
While the numbers certainly don’t blow fans away, Middleton was a solid option for other players to look for on offense. Middleton notched 18 points on 6-for-14 shooting (3-for-7 from three), seven rebounds, and six assists on Sunday night. Middleton was very effective in assisting other players. In fact, all 60 of the first half points were assisted by Middleton, Holiday, and Giannis.
While Middleton didn’t shoot the lights out so to speak, his baskets came at the right time. When Phoenix began to go on a run, Middleton was there to knock down a shot to slow the tempo.
Middleton did not have an incredible game, but he gave the performance Milwaukee needed. Middleton seems to have stretches where he underperforms before he breaks out. If that same trend continues, the Bucks forward could have a breakout game soon. Be sure to look for Middleton going forward as he looks to piggyback off a solid performance in Game 3.
Bobby Portis brings a spark off the bench in the Milwaukee Bucks’ Game 3 win
Bobby Portis has become a fan favorite in Milwaukee and Game 3 showed outsiders why.
Portis played 18 minutes Sunday night, the most minutes he’s played in the NBA Finals thus far. Over those 18 minutes, Portis produced 11 points on 11 shots. He also cashed in from three-point range where he has been a solid shooter all season long and went 1-for-3 on the night.
The most important aspect of Bobby’s performance was his rebounding. Portis finished eight rebounds, four of which were offensive rebounds tying Giannis for the most by a Bucks player in game three. Furthermore, Portis finished with the third-highest plus-minus of any Bucks player at +19, which came as a benefit of being on the floor during the Bucks’ decisive runs in the second and third quarters.
Portis is known for the intensity that he brings off the bench, and game three was no different. Portis has shown time and time again that he is an excellent piece to Milwaukee’s bench. His scoring output will not always be high, but his intensity will. His importance to this Bucks team can not be understated.
With Antetokounmpo at seemingly at full strength, Bobby may see some more time at the 4 when Giannis is moved to the 5. Needless to say, Portis will make the most of his time on the court.
Pat Connaughton provided value off the Milwaukee Bucks bench in Game 3 win
When discussing the Bucks’ bench in the NBA Finals, only one player has consistently brought the spark Milwaukee needed and that is Pat Connaughton.
In the NBA Finals, Connaughton is averaging 10 points per game on 52.4 percent shooting from the field and 47.1 percent shooting from three. Along with that, Connaughton has pulled in 4 rebounds per game.
His production has been important for Milwaukee and not only just in the scoring department. Connaughton brings hustle off the bench. The Bucks wing will fight for rebounds and be a pest on defense. Although his defense won’t be able to shut down opposing shooters, he will frustrate the opposition quickly.
Bucks fans have certainly been critical of Connaughton at various times, but his production through three games of the NBA Finals has been impressive, to say the least.
With Connaughton’s help, the bench gave some valuable production for Milwaukee and will hopefully be an important factor in Milwaukee’s Finals run going forward. With some players struggling, Connaughton will need to be the player Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer and the Bucks can fall back on.
All in all, Milwaukee’s supporting cast did exactly what was necessary to pull out the win in a must-win game. Seeing players like Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton take a step forward will provide some relief for Bucks fans and with Game 4 taking place Wednesday night, we can only hope the Bucks will get similar contributions to propel them to victory and even up the series.