A possibility to make history
Leading the series 3-2, the Milwaukee Bucks have the opportunity to win their franchise’s first championship in 50 years tonight at home at Fiserv Forum.
“You work so hard to be in this moment, it’s hard not to get ahead of yourself,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “But this is the time you have to be the most disciplined and that’s what I’m gonna try to do…Don’t get too excited, don’t get too pumped up for the game. I can’t play the game right now,” added the two-time MVP, saying he is trying not to think about the game and what’s at stake. “But it’s very hard. Sometimes you dream about the game […] we cannot be worrying about that, we cannot have plans about celebrating, none of that. Until it’s done.”
Bucks’ resilience
After being down 2-3 in the Eastern Conference finals against Brooklyn and coming back from a 0-2 deficit in the finals against the Phoenix Suns, the Bucks won three consecutive games,. Momentum is on their side. In addition, home court could be a serious advantage with an intense crowd of 17,000 inside the Milwaukee arena and an expected 65,000 people in the ‘Deer District’ Plaza insanity.
Suns’ desperation
The Phoenix Suns are desperate to stay alive in a win or go home situation.
”As a player, it brings out a sense of urgency,” Suns forward Jae Crowder said. “It brings a sense of collectiveness within your group, knowing what you’re battling and knowing what you’re going up against.”
In this postseason, the Suns have trailed only once before. In the first round, they reacted to being down 1-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers with nine consecutive victories. Will they be able to use the hard hit of losing at home in game 5 of the finals as an extra motivation?
“It’s not going to be pretty,” Crowder said. “You’re not looking to play a perfect game. You’re just looking to try to come out with a win.”
There might be some bad news for the Suns. Scott Foster, who has officiated 11 consecutive postseason losses in games Paul has played in, will be the main referee tonight.
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