There’s no secret that Devin Booker struggled in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Despite the 109-103 loss to the Bucks, Booker responded from a bad game in a huge way.
The former Kentucky Wildcat shot 3-14 (1-7 from three) from the field as the series shifted to Milwaukee. Booker got off to a slow start in Game 3, shooting 1-7 in the first quarter. That includes shooting 1-5 from three in the quarter. It was probably not the way to start the game. Too many three pointers.
He would change that in Game 4. Booker spent the first quarter probing the lane. He made two of four in the paint and another at the elbow. His two misses in the opening quarter were long jumpers. One just inside the three point line and the other outside the three point line.
The second quarter saw Booker get really aggressive. He came off screens really hard but still attacked the elbows and paint. The whole idea of the mid-range game being dead is greatly overplayed.
His hot second quarter helped him finish with 20 points in the first half.
Booker continued success in the third quarter. The quarter got off to a slow start as Milwaukee used Jrue Holiday’s physical play on Booker. But Booker would heat up despite picking up his fourth foul. He went for 18 points in the corner
The fourth quarter got off to a tough start for Booker. After a bad out of bounds call, Booker would pick up his fifth foul on another bad call. Booker would re-enter the game with under six minutes left. His first attempt of the quarter was an off balanced fadeaway.
After an obvious foul by Booker wasn’t called, Milwaukee would take the lead two possessions later on a Pat Connaughton three pointer. Booker would respond for the Suns, hitting a bank shot on the next possession.
With the game tied at 99, Booker missed a leaner in the land. The Bucks would take a two point lead on the next possession. After falling down by four points, Booker would miss a layup with less than 25 seconds left in the game.
Booker would finish the night with 42 points (17-28 from the field).
