Suns withstand Giannis Antetokounmpo 47-point eruption, edge Bucks
Giannis #Giannis
Milwaukee was hot early from 3, but Phoenix hit them when it mattered.
Giannis Antetokounmpo played like a two-time MVP, but misfired on the final shot at the buzzer as Suns survive, 125-124, Wednesday night before 1,491 fans at Phoenix Suns Arena.
Standing near midcourt with 2.8 seconds left, Antetokounmpo waited for Milwaukee to run motion before receiving the ball as he was getting a running start. The perennial All-Star dribbled near top of key to shoot a pullup jumper over Deandre Ayton, but missed.
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Winners of four straight and six of its last seven, Phoenix (15-9) withstood a 47-point performance by Antetokounmpo and 16 Milwaukee 3s to remain unbeaten in seven-game homestand.
The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Bucks (16-9).
Devin Booker scored a team-high 30 points and Chris Paul went for 28 as all five starters scored in double figures. Paul returned after missing Monday’s win over Cleveland with a score hamstring.
Down 12 late in the third, Phoenix went on an 11-0 run highlighted by back-to-back 3s by Booker and Cam Johnson.
Khris Middleton ended the run with a pull-up jumper with 3.9 seconds left as Milwaukee headed into the fourth up 101-98.
The Suns proceeded to open the fourth on a 9-0 spurt as Johnson, Paul and Frank Kaminsky III hit consecutive 3s to give Phoenix a 107-101 lead as the Bucks called a timeout with 10:18 remaining.
Phoenix trailed, 71-59, at halftime as the Bucks shot 13-of-24 from 3. Milwaukee led by as many as 16, but the Suns closed the half on a 6-2 spurt.
Milwaukee ended the game 16-of-37 on 3s.
The Suns shot 6-of-15 on 3s, but had seven turnovers in the first half that led to 10 Milwaukee points. They finished 15-of-31 on 3s.
Phoenix outrebounded Milwaukee, 47-39, as Jae Crowder returned from foot soreness to grab 14 boards. He scored six points.
This was the third home game for Phoenix to have limited number of fans. The Suns are currently at a 1,500-limit, but are raising that to 3,000 starting Tuesday when Steve and the Brooklyn Nets visit Phoenix Suns Arena in the finale of a seven-game homestand.
Phoenix had 1,493 for Sunday’s victory versus Boston as healthcare workers received complimentary tickets for their efforts and 1,485 for Monday’s win over Cleveland.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns withstand Giannis Antetokounmpo 47-point eruption, edge Bucks