Despite a Knee Injury, Giannis Has Responded With Historic Finals Performances

Game 3 was a must-win for Milwaukee, and they did just that. Giannis had his second straight game with 40+ points to lead all scorers. Jrue Holiday was crucial for the Bucks as he kept them in the game when Phoenix got it to within four points during the third quarter as he put up 21 points and nine assists. Phoenix’s stars were fairly quiet, combining for just 29 points and Booker went 3-14 from the field. Milwaukee will look to ride their great performance in Game 3 to even up the series on Wednesday night.

INTERESTING FACTS

Giannis has scored 103 points in this series, the 4th-most by a player in his 1st 3 career Finals GP
His 1 TOV represents the fewest by a player with 40-10-5 in a Finals game since TOV were 1st tracked in 1977-78
Finished with 24 PTS in the restricted area (12-12 FG), tied for the most in an NBA Finals game over the last 25 years
3rd player with a 40-point double-double during back-to-back NBA Finals games
Joined Shaq as the only players with back-to-back GP of 40+ PTS & 10+ REB in NBA Finals history

Odds vs. PHX: MIL -200 (Spread -4.5)
MIL Stock Price: $9.48 (via FANDEX)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

DESPITE A SERIOUS INJURY, GIANNIS HAS RESPONDED WITH A HISTORIC FINALS PERFORMANCE

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Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a terrible injury towards the end of their ECF series with Atlanta, but it seems as if it never even happened. The Greek Freak has now put together two 40+ point, 10+ rebound performances in a row, helping him lead the Bucks to their first Finals win since 1974. Giannis dominated down low, going 12-12 inside the restricted area, and even improved on his poor foul line shooting.

At one point in the contest, he had made six free throws in a row going on seven, and Mike Breen, the commentator, called him “Steph Antetokounmpo” because of how well he was shooting from the stripe. Additionally, Giannis led the Bucks on huge runs to close the second (30-9) and third (16-0) quarters of the game. Phoenix was unable to respond during these stretches, and that proved to be the difference in Game 3 and surged the Bucks back into the series.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Giannis dominated in Game 3

Giannis with AUTHORITY 💥 pic.twitter.com/yAJJnrBQoL
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 12, 2021

Giannis coming through 💪
20-6 run for Milwaukee! pic.twitter.com/XJVw1OU68k
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 12, 2021

Giannis taking over 🔥 pic.twitter.com/N0Lh29XKXf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 12, 2021

🔥 Giannis TAKES OVER in Game 3! 🔥
41 PTS
13 REB
14-23 FGM
13-17 FTM@Giannis_An34 joins @SHAQ as the only players in #NBAFinals history with back-to-back 40+ point, 10+ rebound games, as the Bucks win Game 3! #ThatsGame
Game 4: Wed, 9 PM ET, ABC pic.twitter.com/lIazIIZbAo
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021