The Phoenix Suns now find themselves facing a 3-2 NBA Finals deficit, soon to step into a Game 6 contest with the Milwaukee Bucks, fighting to extend their season at least a few more days. It does not get more dire than this.
Put simply, the Suns need to win. But unfortunately, they find themselves having to enter a hostile building beforehand. The crowd a Fiserv Forum has been electric so far during the playoffs. The Bucks have a 9-1 home record this postseason, with two of those victories already coming at Phoenix’s expense.
This time around though, desperation sides with the Suns, who now sit behind the Bucks even after formerly boasting a 2-0 series lead. Phoenix lost their third consecutive game Saturday night, and now assume the underdog role for the first time since their initial series with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Will this give way to an all-time season gone wasted? Hopefully not. But even amidst their rekindled confidence, the Bucks know what remains at stake. They cannot expect the Suns to go quietly; they know all too well themselves how motivational it can be to play while on the brink of elimination.
This season’s final chapter remains unwritten at this point, but the Suns need to re-grasp their writing utensils and get to work. Here is how the Suns bring it back to Phoenix for a series—and season deciding Game 7.