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Bucks win Game 5 on the road, now one win from NBA Championship

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday
Posted at 5:16 PM, Jul 17, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-18 00:03:28-04

PHOENIX (AP) — Jrue Holiday’s steal and alley-oop pass to Giannis Antetounmpo for a dunk sealed a wild Game 5 and gave the Milwaukee Bucks a 123-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Antetokounmpo had 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Khris Middleton added 29 points and Holiday had 27 points and 13 assists. Booker had 40 points for the Suns.

CHASING A CHAMPIONSHIP: MORE COVERAGE:

The Bucks shot their way out of an early 16-point hole but then won it by making a huge defensive play for the second straight game.

They can win their first title since 1971 in Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

Older updates:

10:12 p.m. -- Best photos from the road in Game 5

AP Images, as always, captured dozens of stunning images from Game 5 in Phoenix. Review the best shots here.

Devin Booker, P.J. Tucker
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, is defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker during the first half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

9:54 p.m. -- Bucks up 10 with one quarter to go

The Bucks lead by double digits with just 12 minutes to go in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. As Lance Allan points out, they're shooting very efficiently tonight.

9:48 p.m. -- 25,500 pack into Deer District

The Bucks just shared that 25,500 fans are packed into Deer District for the outdoor Game 5 watch party. Combine that with the 9,000 indoors, and there are nearly 35,000 fans watching the Bucks downtown right now!

9:17 p.m. -- Bucks up at the half!

After a tumultuous first half that saw the Bucks trailing by double digits at times, they stormed back in the second quarter to take a three-point lead!

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8:28 p.m. -- LeBron James is here to watch Game 5

We have NBA royalty in the house tonight! Lakers star and NBA Champion LeBron James is in Phoenix to watch Game 5 of the Bucks-Suns.

LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers basketball player LeBron James, center, watches during the first half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

8:14 p.m. -- Huge bottleneck to get into Deer District

As Game 5 gets underway, there are still hundreds if not thousands of fans who are waiting to get into Deer District.

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7:37 p.m. -- Same starting five for the Bucks tonight

The starters were just announced for the Bucks and once again it's Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Holiday, Lopez, and Tucker who will take to the court first.

7:28 p.m. -- Bucks assistant coach will miss game

Bucks assistant coach Josh Oppenheimer won't be on the bench for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, according to Adrian Wojnarowski:

7:09 p.m. -- Indoor watch party once again a sell-out

The Bucks are once again expecting 9,000 fans to fill Fiserv Forum for the team's indoor Game 5 watch party. Fans are just starting to fill in now.

6:27 p.m. -- Long lines to get into Deer District

Deer District is going to be packed tonight! This is what the line looks like, more than 90 minutes before tip-off.

6:06 p.m. -- Bucks wearing road whites for Game 5

It's the "Association" jerseys tonight for the Bucks:

5:55 p.m. -- Giannis, Middleton on the court for warm-ups ahead of Game 5

TMJ4 Sports Reporter Delaney Brey is in Phoenix for tonight's game. She reports that Khris Middleton hit the court first tonight for warm-ups, joined shortly after by Giannis - just about two hours before tip.

5:16 p.m. -- Thanasis Antetokounmpo out for Game 5 of NBA Finals after entering health and safety protocols

Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokoumpo is out for Game 5 of the NBA Finals after entering the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, according to the NBA's injury report.

Thanasis, the older brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo, has played in 13 games for the Bucks during the 2021 NBA playoffs. He is averaging 3.4 minutes per game, and putting up 0.7 points and 0.8 rebounds per game.

Thanasis is the only Bucks player listed on the injury report for health and safety protocols. Donte DiVincenzo and Sam Merrill also are listed with existing injuries.

On the Suns' side, big man Dario Saric remains out with a torn ACL.

Game 5 of the NBA Finals tips off at 8 p.m. in Phoenix. The series is currently tied, with each team winning two games.

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