On the brink of the NBA Championship, the Milwaukee Bucks have a chance to make history

Standing atop the outside of the Fiserv Forum – well beyond the reach of Giannis Antetokounmpo – ignites the Milwaukee Bucks’ post-season motto.

It reads “HISTORY IN WORK”, a sign and a situation that cannot now be ignored.

However, that is exactly what the Bucks are trying to do.

They really can history Tuesday night as Milwaukee’s first NBA champion since 1971. But the Bucks had to resist thinking about what would happen if they beat the Phoenix Suns in Game 6.

“It’s hard, because you work so hard to get to that moment, which is tomorrow,” Antetokounmpo said Monday.

“It’s hard not to get ahead of yourself. But this is the time when you are most disciplined.”

The Bucks have won their last three games to set up a potential party in 50 years of formation.

About 17,000 fan expected inside the arena, and the Bucks announced Monday that Deer County has been expanded to allow up to 65,000 fans shoulder to shoulder outside. Barriers line the sidewalks around the arena and restaurants within walking distance range contemplating how to get Staff entering and returning home from work through expected crowds.

It’s an unlikely scene for much of this season that has been played out in Coronavirus pandemic.

Bucks only started allowing a limited number of fans at Game in February, almost two months after the season started. Even with post-season play starting in May, capacity has been capped at 9,100, a bit above 50%.

Regardless of the number being Tuesday, it would sound a lot louder if the Bucks lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

“But we have to focus, we have to do our job,” Antetokounmpo said.

“Then they can do their job to celebrate the end. But we have to do our job first. “

The sun is also very excited.

That’s how Chris Paul said they feel, despite taking a two-point lead and facing elimination for the first time in this post-season period.

“Something that the Coach and everyone said: If you came to the beginning of the season and said we had a chance at where we are, would you take it? Totally possible,” Paul said.

“And we have the opportunity to determine the outcome. It’s not like the game will be simulated or someone has to play. We have a chance. We control our own destiny. So I think that’s the fun part of it. “

If the Sun wins on Tuesday, they’ll bring the series back Phoenix for game 7 on Thursday.

To do so, they will have to rely on the fight they showed in Game 5, when they gave themselves a chance to win in the closing seconds after the Bucks beat them by 79 points in the second round and Third to open a double-lead digit.

The comeback was short-lived as Jrue Holiday eliminated Devin Booker and unleashed an over-the-top pass for Antetokounmpo, but coach Monty Williams saw a needed resilience more than ever.

“For us to be able to cut it down to a point, you know, that’s what pisses me off and gives our staff and team a lot of confidence as we head into this Game 6. ,” Williams said.

Booker has scored 40 points in two consecutive games, something Antetokounmpo previously in the series and only five other players have done in the NBA Finals. However, he was just as good, the star guard said he has to be even better in Game 6.

“We all know what’s at stake and what’s going on,” Booker said. “Everyone will have to give a little more because what we have done is not enough.”

Just two years ago, the Bucks had the best record in the league and just two wins in their first NBA final since 1974 before losing 2-0 in the Eastern Conference final to Toronto.

That frustration helped build a Bucks team that didn’t waver when it fell. Milwaukee was 2-0 down by Brooklyn in the second round and now it’s a win to overcome that deficit again.

The Bucks have finished all three series this season on the road. Now they have the chance to land the biggest chance in their building, knowing it won’t be easier than their others.

“It’s funny, you want to treat it like any other game, but at the same time, it’s what it is. It was a close match of the final,” said center Brook Lopez. “But I definitely think we can draw from our other experiences in the knockout stages.

“And one thing, you know, if you look at it all, we obviously know that the other team is not going to roll and stop the game. They will fight to the last second. We are ready to play to the best of our ability.”

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have changed it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.