PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks against Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half in Game Five of the NBA Finals at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
A heads-up defensive play from Jrue Holiday led to a monstrous slam for Giannis Antetokounmpo to help the Milwaukee Bucks seal a victory in Game 5 and take a 3-2 series lead.
Jrue Holiday has been criticized at times throughout the NBA Playoffs, but he seems to come up clutch when it matters most. With the clock winding down in the fourth quarter of Game 5, Holiday picked Devin Booker’s pocket, setting up an emphatic Giannis Antetokounmpo alley-oop to put away any hopes of a Phoenix Suns comeback.
With that, the Milwaukee Bucks, who were once down 2-0 in this series, are now one win away from claiming the 2021 NBA Finals.
Twitter exploded in reaction to the Jrue-to-Giannis dagger.
Twitter reacts to Jrue-to-Giannis alley-oop that sealed Game 5
The stats don’t lie: Holiday was instrumental tonight, even before his clutch play with less than 24 seconds to go.
It’s hard to believe the Bucks lost each of the first two games of this series by double digits. Booker has performed admirably in his own right, but Giannis has come unleashed in the NBA Finals, and the Bucks’ big three were too much for the Suns to handle in Game 5. Deer District was going wild tonight.
The Phoenix Suns were the best road team in the NBA all season long. They’ll have to win away from home in Game 6 if they wish to deny the Milwaukee Bucks their first NBA title in 50 years.