The Milwaukee Bucks evened their best of seven with the Phoenix Suns at 2 game apiece Wednesday night, thanks in large part to Chris Middleton finally showing he’s a clutch shooter, and a huge block by Giannis Antetokounmpo off an alley-oop attempt by the Suns’ DeAndre Ayton.

There are moments seemingly in all Championship series that are defining, and this block, was one of them. The block, combined with Middleton’s shooting helped the Bucks erase an early 4th Quarter deficit, ane spurred on the crowd, The Bucks ended up winning the game, 109-103. The series is tied, heading back to Phoenix for Game 5 Friday Night.

To win game 5, the Bucks have to do what they’ve done all year, shoot well and play good defense. It will again take a team effort, Antetokounmpo can‘t do it all, and Middleton, by no means have to be perfect but he can’t go 4 of 13 and sit with foul trouble.

Similar thoughts can be shared about the Suns path to a Game 5 victory. Devin Booker has to shoot and Chris Paul has to remember he’s a future Hall of Famer, and no moment is too big for him. Paul is the guy his tean looks to for guidance and support and to lead. Now he doesn’t have to go for 50, but Paul has to do the non stat things, play defense, motivate, hit open guys for 3s on the Break, (for some reason I’m seeing Cameron Johnson knocking down a couple of big threes late, maybe its the Carolina fan in me.) If Paul can do that, the Suns have a chance.

In Other Views

The Red Sox come to New York to play the Yankees in 4 huge games for New York. 3 out of 4 is vital for the Yankees. They need timely hits, no wasted at-bats, and they also need to pitch well, a huge ask against a very good Boston lineup. The one thing they can’t do is, they can’t let Aaron Boone and his gut feeling get in the way. If the Bullpen is dealing, stay with the hot hand, stop playing percentages, and if you have no faith in Aroldis Chapman, then give tickets to an escape room at about 9:30 tonight. I guess, as a Yankee fan, I’m pleading with our fearless leader, don’t pull a you! Don’t fuck up a 7-3 lead in the ninth and lose 8-7 or 10-8 in 12 innings, last Sunday in Houston was enough. If guys can play, play em. If your ace says ‘I’m finishing this fucking game’, let him

If and it’s a big if, the Yankees do all that and stay out of their own way, and Boone out of his own head, I can 3 of 4, that’s my hope. But, there’s a difference between hope and what might really happen, lucky for you all I’ll be here tomorrow to recap it all.

See you tomorrow.