(Reuters) – The surging Milwaukee Bucks took control of the NBA Finals with a 123-119 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
After dropping the first two games of the series, the Bucks have roared back to life with three consecutive wins and now lead the best-of-seven NBA Finals 3-2.
Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose brother and team mate Thanasis was ruled out of the game due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, had a team-high 32 points.
Devin Booker scored a game-high 40 points for a Suns team that led by 16 points after the first quarter before the Bucks clawed their way back and held on as PHoenix’s comeback bid fell short.
Milwaukee are now one win away from clinching their first NBA championship in 50 years while Phoenix remain two wins away from their first title in the team’s 53-year existence.
The Bucks host Game Six on Tuesday. A decisive seventh game, if necessary, would be in Phoenix on Thursday.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Kim Coghill)
