Can the Suns Rebound in NBA Finals Game 3 Against the Bucks? Key Matchup Analysis
2025-11-20 09:00
As I sit down to analyze the Phoenix Suns' chances in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, I can't help but draw parallels to the player availability crisis facing GILAS Pilipinas for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. Both situations highlight how timing and roster continuity can make or break championship aspirations. The Suns find themselves in a must-win situation after dropping Game 2, and frankly, I believe they have what it takes to bounce back - but only if they address some critical matchup issues that have emerged in this series.
Looking at the Suns' performance in Game 2, what struck me most was how Giannis Antetokounmpo completely disrupted their defensive schemes. The Greek Freak put up 42 points and 12 rebounds while shooting an incredible 75% from the field. Those numbers aren't just impressive - they're historically dominant. The Suns tried multiple defenders on him, from Deandre Ayton to Jae Crowder, but neither could contain his relentless drives to the basket. What I'd like to see in Game 3 is more strategic double-teams when Giannis gets the ball in the post. The Bucks role players shot just 32% from three-point range in Game 2, which tells me Phoenix should take their chances with Milwaukee's secondary scorers rather than letting Giannis single-handedly dismantle their defense.
The Chris Paul situation worries me more than I'd like to admit. His 5 turnovers in Game 2, particularly during crucial fourth-quarter minutes, reminded me of his playoff struggles from earlier in his career. At 36 years old, I'm starting to wonder if the heavy minutes are catching up to him. He's averaging 38.5 minutes per game in these finals, which is simply unsustainable for a player of his age dealing with multiple nagging injuries. What Phoenix needs is for Devin Booker to take more playmaking responsibility. Booker's 31-point performance in Game 2 showed he can score against Milwaukee's defense, but his 1 assist demonstrates he's not creating enough for others. If I'm Monty Williams, I'm designing more pick-and-roll actions with Booker as the primary ballhandler to ease Paul's burden.
The bench production has been another glaring issue that reminds me of the roster depth challenges that international teams like GILAS Pilipinas face during major tournaments. Cameron Payne's -15 plus-minus in Game 2 was particularly concerning. The Suns' second unit was outscored by 12 points, which essentially decided the game. What surprises me is that Monty Williams hasn't given more minutes to Torrey Craig, who provides much-needed defensive versatility against Milwaukee's wings. I'd personally like to see Craig get at least 20 minutes in Game 3 to help contain Khris Middleton, who's been spectacular in these finals with his mid-range game.
Home court advantage could be the X-factor that many analysts are underestimating. The Suns were 32-9 at home during the regular season, and the energy in Footprint Center has been electric throughout these playoffs. What fascinates me about playoff basketball is how the crowd can influence officiating, and we saw in Game 2 how the Bucks benefited from some favorable calls in Milwaukee. Back in Phoenix, I expect the Suns to get to the free-throw line more frequently, especially Booker, who attempted only 4 free throws in Game 2 despite numerous drives to the basket.
The Deandre Ayton versus Brook Lopez matchup might decide this game more than the Giannis narrative that's dominating headlines. Lopez's ability to stretch the floor has pulled Ayton away from the basket, creating driving lanes for Milwaukee's guards. In Game 2, Lopez hit 3 three-pointers while Ayton attempted none. This strategic battle reminds me why modern basketball demands big men who can impact the game on both ends. Ayton needs to be more aggressive offensively - his 10 field goal attempts in Game 2 were simply insufficient for a player of his caliber. I'd like to see Phoenix run more early offense through Ayton in the post to put pressure on Lopez defensively.
As someone who's followed the NBA for over two decades, what impresses me most about this Suns team is their resilience. They've responded to every playoff loss with a strong performance, winning by an average of 15 points in games following defeats. Their ability to make adjustments has been remarkable throughout this postseason run. The concern, however, is whether they have enough defensive answers for Giannis, who's playing at a level we haven't seen since prime LeBron James in these finals.
The three-point shooting battle will be crucial in Game 3. The Suns shot just 29% from deep in Game 2 while the Bucks connected on 38% of their attempts. What I've noticed is that Milwaukee is doing an excellent job running Phoenix's shooters off the three-point line, particularly Jae Crowder, who's just 4-for-18 from distance in this series. The Suns need to create more clean looks through better ball movement - their 18 assists in Game 2 were well below their playoff average of 24 per game.
When I think about championship teams throughout NBA history, what separates them is their ability to win different types of games. The Suns proved they can win a shootout in Game 1, but Game 3 will test whether they can win a defensive grind. My prediction is that Phoenix makes the necessary adjustments, particularly in their pick-and-roll coverage against Jrue Holiday, who's been surprisingly inefficient in this series shooting just 39% from the field. If the Suns can force Holiday into more difficult shots while containing Giannis' transition opportunities, I like their chances to reclaim control of this series.
Ultimately, basketball comes down to execution in crucial moments, and that's where the Suns have excelled throughout these playoffs. They've won 7 games by 5 points or fewer, demonstrating remarkable poise under pressure. What concerns me is whether their relatively young core can maintain that composure against a Bucks team with more experienced playoff performers. Game 3 will reveal everything about Phoenix's championship mettle, and personally, I believe they'll rise to the occasion with a hard-fought victory that sets up an intriguing Game 4.