2021 NBA Finals: 5 Thoughts from Game 4
A block for the ages, two All-Stars going at it, and a scrappy back-and-forth — Game 4 had it all and the Bucks come away with a 109–103 victory to even up the series at 2–2.
Finally, we have a classic on our hands! After seeing both teams win by double-digits in the first three games, we were treated to an absolute slog fest in a crucial Game 4 in Milwaukee that went all the way down to the wire.
Despite the scorching hot hand of Devin Booker and some questionable officiating, this Bucks team proved themselves resilient and clawed their way back to win thanks to a career-best performance from Khris Middleton and an all-time defensive play from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With both teams now tied 2–2, we now have a best-of-3 series on our hands for the Championship, and as the Finals heads back to Phoenix for Game 5, we’re back to where we left off at the beginning of these Finals — uncertainty! It’s anyone’s title at this point!
Check out my top 5 thoughts from a classic Game 4 in Milwaukee:
1. KHRIS. KHASH. MONEY. MIDDLETON.
I love watching Khris Middleton play. All memes aside, the man has an offensive arsenal that’s top-tier and in Game 4, Middleton was absolutely “Khash Money” down the stretch, showcasing the full package and delivering for the Bucks when they needed it most.
It’s been a recurring theme for Middleton throughout these playoffs. Time and time again, the Bucks have been able to rely on the shot-making prowess of their star swingman and he’s come up big time during late-game situations against the likes of Miami, Brooklyn, and Atlanta in this year’s playoffs.
In Game 4, Middleton came through once again for the Bucks, scoring 40 points — 14 of those coming in the last quarter — off an array of tough jumpers, transition baskets, and clutch free throws.
Part of the recurring theme for Middleton is determining when exactly he would be due for a game like this.
When looking at the numbers, Middleton averages only 18 ppg on 37.8% shooting in Games 1 & 2 during this year’s playoffs. In games 3–7, those numbers jump up to 27.1 ppg on 46.3% shooting!
If recent trends are anything to go by, Middleton might just be getting started and if he’s able to play consistently well over the next 3 games, the Suns are in trouble.
2. Booker bounces back.
It’s the hallmark of every NBA superstar — the playoff bounce-back game.
After a lackluster Game 3 performance (10 points on 3–14 shooting), you knew that Devin Booker was primed for a big game coming into this one. And in Game 4, we saw Booker stamp himself further as a superstar of our game with a scorching 42 points off some unbelievably difficult, Kobe-esque shots.
It didn’t matter who the Bucks put on him. Booker found a way to score. And with this Game 4 performance, Booker cements himself as one of the league’s all-time great playoff scorers, tying Wilt Chamberlain for most games with at least 40 points in their first postseason and standing alone at the top for most points (542) scored by a player in their first playoffs.
As great as his performance was it would be remiss not to mention a play that involved Booker late during the game. With 3:41 left to go and Phoenix up 95–92, Booker, playing with 5 fouls already, wrapped himself all over a driving Jrue Holiday to stop the transition basket:
But the refs ate their whistles, play continued, and collectively everyone who had been watching clearly knew that Booker should have been called for his sixth and final foul. And like other superstars in the game, it seemed appropriate that the NBA’s next superstar would get a non-call in his favor! Imagine if the Bucks didn’t win this game too … yikes.
Still, all credit where credit is due — Booker had himself a fantastic bounce-back game.
3. ARE YOU SERIOUS GIANNIS?!
Seriously. I’ve re-watched it over and over again and find myself in absolute disbelief about what had just happened.
With the Bucks holding onto a 101–99 lead with 1:28 left to go, Booker and Ayton ran a perfect pick and roll that should have ended with an Ayton dunk to tie the game up and swing momentum over to Phoenix in the last minute of play.
But Giannis had other plans.
With his foot on the free throw line as the ball was released from Booker’s hand, Giannis was able to turn, recover, leap, and fully stretch himself out to meet Ayton right at the rim, protecting the lead for the Bucks and sending the Milwaukee crowd into an absolute manic frenzy. The Suns never had another chance to tie the game again after that and Milwaukee would go on to win the game.
Remember! This guy hyperextended his left knee two weeks ago. Now he’s coming off back-to-back 40 point games, and capping off an already impressive Game 4 performance (26 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks) with an all-time NBA Finals highlight? Fucking insane.
He’s the best player in this series and he might just be cementing his status as the best player in the game during these Finals on the back of that play and his performances so far.
We’re currently witnessing greatness ladies and gentlemen. The Greek Freak, Giannis the Destroyer.
4. No Chris Paul!!! Not like this …
Yikes.
I was completely all-in on the CP3 redemption tour during these playoffs. It seemed like Paul had finally put all of those playoff heartbreaks and mishaps behind him after his masterful Game 6 close out performance against the Clippers and his brilliant Game 1 opener against the Bucks.
Unfortunately, greatness carries a higher standard than others, and as these Finals have gone on, the Point God has shown signs of being mortal, turning in an uncharacteristically poor Game 4 performance scoring only 10 points (5-of-13 shooting) with 5 turnovers.
The turnovers seemed to have come during the most crucial moments of Game 4 too. In the final minute of play, with the game in the balance and the Suns down by two, Paul slipped, turning the ball over and putting out any hopes of a Phoenix come back.
It’s always hard to pinpoint why a player turns in a bad performance. Unfortunately, for someone like Chris Paul, the perception of being a playoff choker often skews our view of what actually happens during a game.
Paul looked tired at times during Game 4 and this can be credited to the adjustments that Milwaukee has made to have Jrue Holiday hound him full-court for the entire game and pressure Paul into uncharacteristic mistakes.
It’ll be interesting to see whether Paul has enough left in him to weather the defensive pressure that’s been applied and whether the Suns can rely on Booker and Cam Payne to carry some of the ball-handling duties to his relief.
5. Game 4 was a CLASSIC!
We were due for a classic, and Game 4 delivered.
A close game all the way through, an all-time highlight, two stars battling it out, controversial officiating, some poor performers and unsung heroes, and late-game drama … seriously, this game had EVERYTHING.
It was ugly but there’s something to be appreciated when watching these two teams slugging it out and throwing haymakers at each other on their way to win and inch closer to a title.
We’re all tied up now at 2–2 — we’ve got ourselves a series!
