“The series doesn’t start until the road team wins” is a phrase so well worn in National Basketball Association circles as to be labeled a cliché. It also happens to be wrong; it smacks of disrespect of higher seeds who worked hard to claim home court advantage in the playoffs, as well as of the system itself set up to reward regular season performance. In the 2021 Finals, it was particularly dismissive of the efforts of both the Suns and the Bucks in protecting their turf; that the home squad won every game in the best-of-seven affair through the first four matches is a rarity reflective of their exertions.
To no one’s surprise, both protagonists gave their all in Game Five yesterday. The Suns struck early, buoyed by the 16,562-strong crowd at the newly minted Footprint Center; All-Star Devin Booker led the attack that put the hosts up by 16 after one quarter. The Bucks, however, clawed back promptly, managing to not just erase the deficit, but claim the advantage by three at the half and by double digits after three periods. And while the inevitable comeback kept scores close in the crunch, the visitors preserved the lead at the buzzer. Nope, the series didn’t just start as a result. But, yes, it may well end in the next outing.
As much as the offense seemed to claim the game for the Bucks, though, one stellar defensive stand again ensured the win. Two-time Most Valuable Player awardee Giannis Antetokounmpo made the decisive play in Game Four, and it was teammate Jrue Holiday’s turn yesterday. With 22 ticks left in the payoff period and the Suns down by one, Booker appeared to be the perfect candidate to frame the outcome. Looking to add to his 40 markets, he drove left to the lane against noted leech P.J. Tucker. As he stopped to pull up, the All-Defensive First Team member made a timely swipe from the weak side, and then consummated it in the ensuing possession with an outstanding pass for a clinching oop and and-one.
If there’s any silver lining for the Suns, it’s that they have an extra day to recover from the disappointing loss. The last two contests were close, but, unfortunately, they couldn’t close. Certainly, they have to be a little worried, having suffered three straight setbacks and needing to win in Game Six just to extend the series. Yesterday, all the stars showed up, and they wound up being on the short end of the stick — in the process wasting a second consecutive 40-point tally from Booker. Of course, if anyone can keep spirits high, it’s head coach Monty Williams; not for nothing was he voted by his peers as Coach of the Year. In any case, they have no choice. They need to win if they don’t want to go home. Period.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.