By Adam Roberts – 7/12/2021

I had a privilege of getting to travel solo to the Deer District for yesterday’s NBA Finals game in Milwaukee. Standing shoulder to shoulder with over 25,000 other individuals outside Fiserv Forum was a sports experience unlike any I’ve ever had before and made me feel like I was a part of the massive crowds from World Cups in the past. I’d probably try to go with friends next time, but it was still awesome to share in the camaraderie of everyone else in downtown Milwaukee.

To top it off, the game going on inside the forum was plenty exciting and engaging to keep the energy lively outside.

Facing the possibility of a 3-0 deficit in the Finals, Milwaukee stepped up big on their home court. Giannis was naturally the star once again, with 41 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists coupled with 21 from Jrue Holiday and three other Bucks in double figures. The 120-100 victory ensured that the series will at least see a Game Five, and kept the dream of #BucksIn6 alive.

Of course the result of the game must take into consideration that Phoenix star Devin Booker played only 29 minutes for 10 points and was held out for a sizeable chunk of the end of the game. Whether the decision by head coach Monty Williams was for load management or other reasons is up to you to decide, but one of the Suns’ two biggest play makers was a nonfactor during what is the most important part of the game. I have a hard time believing that will be the case going forward in this series.

Stat wise, the Bucks shot just under 48 percent for the game and just under 39 percent from three. Also nice to see was Giannis shooting 13-17 from the free throw line, with the friendly confines of Fiserv possibly providing the type of forgiving environment that was plagued him at times on the road.

The series will pick up Wednesday in Milwaukee, with coverage beginning at 7pm on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and espnlacrosse.com!

By Adam Roberts – 7/9/2021

One one good leg, Giannis Antetokounmpo put on possibly his best display of playoff basketball in his career: 42 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal. He looked every bit his usual self and did everything possible to keep Milwaukee in the series.

Unfortunately, the combination of the rest of the team struggling to find good looks plus the Suns shooting out of their minds at times would be too much for the Greek Freak to overcome.

Milwaukee fell 118-108 in Game Two of the NBA Finals as the Suns shot 20-40 from three point range. Mikal Bridges was an unexpected contributor for Phoenix with 27 points and a perfect 8-8 night at the free throw line. Charity shots were a big difference maker last night; Milwaukee had the advantage early, and Phoenix didn’t even shoot a free throw until late in the second quarter. But the second half was a different story; the Suns finished 12-15 while the Bucks went 15-23.

Game Three is Sunday at Fiserv Forum. Our coverage begins at 6pm!

By Adam Roberts – 7/8/2021

Miraculously, Giannis Antetokounmpo seemed largely unhindered by the knee hyperextension that kept him sidelined for the final two games of the Eastern Conference Finals when he took to the court Tuesday against Phoenix. According to the team, it shouldn’t be a concern going forward.

Giannis is officially off the injury report for game two of the NBA finals. He made a sudden return from a hyperextended left knee injury to play for in game one after being listed as doubtful. He scored 20 points and 17 rebounds in the loss.

On another topic, the ratings for Game One were quite high, which isn’t surprising given how long each fan base has been waiting for a championship. Eight-and-a-half million people tuned in for game one of the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. That’s a 13-percent increase in viewership from game one of last year’s Finals. As for the hometown ratings, the NBA says viewership in Milwaukee was the highest since 2001 and Phoenix saw its biggest ratings since 2000. The numbers were even higher toward the end of the game as almost ten-million were tuned in during the 11 p.m. Eastern hour.

The Bucks will try to even the NBA Finals against the Suns tonight in Phoenix. Our coverage begins at 7 on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and espnlacrosse.com!

By Adam Roberts – 7/7/2021

There’s some big news today for athletes competing in, and fans of, the mixed martial arts world and boxing worlds.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission is voting to end disciplining boxers and mixed martial arts fighters for marijuana use. Nevada follows the Florida State Boxing Commission, which stopped testing for marijuana in May. Nevada’s commission will continue to test for marijuana for data purposes during the next six months.

The new policy begins today and is not retroactive to cases that have not been examined. It’s the latest move by a sports league to lighten it’s punishment for marijuana usage, even as American track star Sha’Carri RIchardson is currently suspended for a month from US Olympic competition for her own marijuana use.

By Adam Roberts – 7/7/2021

The line between a hyperextended knee and a torn ACL is very fine. Anytime a basketball player injures their knee, the first though anyone likely has is: that player is probably out for an extended period of time.

For Giannis Antetokounmpo, “extended period of time” meant two games.

The Greek Freak was back on the floor for Game One of the NBA Finals last night in Phoenix, accumulating 20 points in 35 minutes of action. Unfortunately, a big game for Chris Paul, difficulty getting to the free throw line, and off nights from other role players who stepped up big against the Hawks doomed Milwaukee to a 118-105 loss.

Khris Middleton had 29 points despite not taking a singled free throw all night. And Jrue Holiday was held to just 4-14 shooting for 10 points and had an abysmal plus/minus of -16; Brook Lopez did him one worse with a -17.

Game Two is tomorrow night in Phoenix. Coverage begins at 7pm on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and espnlacrosse.com!