How the Suns Can Rebound Against Bucks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals
Having watched every minute of the NBA Finals so far, I can't help but feel the Phoenix Suns are at a critical juncture heading into Game 3. They've shown flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short in both contests against a Bucks team that's found its rhythm at the perfect time. What fascinates me about championship series is how they often mirror challenges we see in international basketball - like the player availability issues GILAS Pilipinas is facing for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. Both situations require creative solutions when your ideal roster isn't fully available.
The Suns' situation reminds me of how national teams must adapt when key players are tied up with professional commitments elsewhere. Phoenix isn't dealing with player unavailability per se, but they're certainly not getting the version of Chris Paul we saw earlier in these playoffs. Through the first two games, Paul has committed 8 turnovers against just 15 assists - a startling reversal from his 4.2 assist-to-turnover ratio in the Western Conference Finals. Watching him struggle against Milwaukee's length brought back memories of how Philippine basketball officials must strategize around unavailable PBA stars during international windows. The parallel is clear: when your primary playmaker isn't functioning optimally, you need contingency plans.
What I'd love to see Phoenix implement in Game 3 is the kind of tactical flexibility that national coaches employ when their rosters are compromised. Monty Williams has been excellent these playoffs, but he's been outmaneuvered by Mike Budenholzer so far. The Bucks are shooting 48.7% from the field this series while holding Phoenix to 44.2% - those numbers need to flip for the Suns to have a chance. From my perspective, the solution lies in embracing the chaos rather than trying to out-execute Milwaukee in half-court sets. Phoenix attempted only 12 fast break points in Game 2 despite forcing 14 turnovers. That's an opportunity staring them right in the face.
The Devin Booker minutes without Chris Paul have been particularly concerning. When Paul sits, the Suns' offensive rating plummets to 98.3 - a number that would have ranked dead last in the regular season. This reminds me of how GILAS coaches must build lineups around whichever stars are actually available rather than wishing for ideal circumstances. Maybe it's time to experiment with Cameron Payne running more pick-and-roll with Deandre Ayton while Booker plays off-ball. Payne's speed could potentially disrupt Milwaukee's defensive schemes in ways we haven't seen yet this series.
Defensively, I'm baffled by Phoenix's approach to Giannis Antetokounmpo. They're allowing him to shoot 61.8% from the field while simultaneously giving up open looks to Milwaukee's role players. The Bucks are converting 38.9% of their three-point attempts this series - up from 29.4% in the Eastern Conference Finals. This defensive dilemma mirrors what national teams face when they must choose between stopping a superstar or shutting down the supporting cast. Personally, I'd rather live with Giannis getting his 35 points if it means containing everyone else. The math simply works better that way - in the regular season, teams winning when an opponent scores 35+ points occurred only 27% of the time.
What often gets overlooked in championship adjustments is the emotional component. Having covered numerous playoff series throughout my career, I've noticed that teams facing 2-0 deficits tend to either fold completely or fight with unprecedented desperation. The Suns struck me as a bit shell-shocked in Game 2's fourth quarter, particularly during that 20-6 Milwaukee run that sealed the game. Their body language reminded me of national teams that know they're at a talent disadvantage. But here's the thing - Phoenix isn't actually outmatched talent-wise. They just need to rediscover the connectivity that got them here.
The rebounding disparity has been particularly glaring to me. Milwaukee has grabbed 23 offensive rebounds through two games, leading to 28 second-chance points. That's essentially the margin in both contests. Watching Ayton get boxed out by Bobby Portis multiple times made me wonder if Phoenix needs to reconsider their rotation. Maybe giving Dario Šarić more minutes alongside Ayton could provide the physical presence they're lacking. It's the kind of roster adjustment that international coaches make constantly when dealing with availability issues - sometimes you need to sacrifice some skill for necessary toughness.
As someone who's studied championship comebacks throughout NBA history, I believe the blueprint exists for Phoenix. Teams trailing 2-0 have come back to win the Finals three times in league history, most recently the 2016 Cavaliers. What those teams shared was a willingness to make dramatic adjustments rather than incremental ones. For Phoenix, that might mean unleashing Mikal Bridges as more than just a defensive specialist. Bridges is averaging only 8.5 shot attempts this series despite shooting 52% from the field. That's criminal underutilization of one of their most efficient weapons.
The scheduling actually favors Phoenix in my view. With two days between Games 2 and 3, they have time to implement strategic changes rather than just making emotional ones. This reminds me of how national teams use extended preparation periods to install systems that maximize available personnel. What I'd focus on if I were Monty Williams is creating more movement away from the ball. Phoenix has become too predictable in their half-court sets, running endless pick-and-rolls that Milwaukee is comfortably defending.
Ultimately, what separates championship teams from merely good ones is adaptability. Watching GILAS Pilipinas navigate player availability issues demonstrates how creativity can overcome roster limitations. Similarly, Phoenix needs to embrace their current circumstances rather than lamenting what's not working. They still have two All-Stars in their prime, one of the league's most improved centers, and the Coach of the Year. The pieces are there - they just need to arrange them differently. Having witnessed numerous teams dig out of 2-0 holes throughout my career, I'm not counting Phoenix out yet. But Game 3 isn't just another contest - it's their season. And sometimes, understanding your back is against the wall unleashes the very best version of a team.