Paul Powers Suns Over Bucks in NBA Finals Opener
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
14 Sports Thursday, July 8, 2021 Paul powers Suns over Bucks in NBA Finals opener PHOENIX: Chris Paul made sure his long-awaited Paul got a little too comfortable,” Bucks standout Jrue NBA Finals debut would be one to remember, scoring Holiday said. 32 points and adding nine assists to spark the Phoenix Paul, with the second-most games of any NBA Suns over the Milwaukee Bucks 118-105 in Tuesday’s player making his finals debut, went 12-of-19 from the opening game of the championship series. floor, 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and 4-of-4 from the The 36-year-old backcourt maestro, in his 16th free throw line. “I’m just so locked into the game,” Paul season, delivered clutch scoring and added nine assists said. “I’m staying in the moment. I’m just focused on while Devin Booker added 27 points and 22-year-old the task at hand.” Bahamas big man Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 19 Paul went 6-of-7 for 16 points in the third quarter, rebounds in dominating the Bucks. “I just kept trying when the Suns stretched the lead as large as 20 points. to be aggressive and my guys got going,” Paul said. Antetokounmpo scored off a rebound to pull “It’s trust. We’ve played like this all season. We just Milwaukee within 101-94 in the fourth quarter, but a have to stay locked in.” steal and hoop by Paul helped keep the Bucks at bay. Phoenix will try to grab a 2-0 edge when the best- of-seven showdown continues tonight. “There was a Energy and juice lot of energy coming into this game,” Paul said. “We “To win the first game, it gives you a level of confi- got one. We’ve got to get another one.” The Suns, in dence,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “It was just the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, seek their having the energy and the juice that we typically play first league title while the Bucks, in their first finals with. It’s important. Our guys understand that.” Ayton since 1974, won their only crown 50 years ago. “We’ll became the first player with 15 points and 15 rebounds look at the film,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. in his NBA Finals debut since Tim Duncan in 1999. “We’ll get smarter. We’ll get better for game two.” The Suns went 25-of-26 from the free throw line, Milwaukee started Greek star forward Giannis missing only the last to keep them from an NBA Finals Antetokounmpo, who had missed two games with a record. The Suns, who haven’t lost in 11 playoff games hyperextended left knee, and he contributed 20 points when leading by 10 or more, opened a 65-52 lead ear- and 17 rebounds in 35 minutes. “It was tough. Had to ly in the third quarter. do my best to get back,” Antetokounmpo said. “Did Phoenix led 30-26 after the first quarter and 57- the right treatment. Took care of my body. Supported 49 at halftime. Booker had 16 points in the first half my teammates. Now I’m back. Felt great. I had my bal- and Paul added 11, six of them in a 10-4 run to give ance. Felt my knee was stable. I did not feel pain. I felt the Suns a 45-38 edge. Antetokounmpo had eight good.” But even with 29 points from Khris Middleton, points, five rebounds and two assists in the first PHOENIX: Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during Game One of the 2021 NBA Finals on it wasn’t enough against Paul and a swifter, more quarter, making a solid start after being a game- Tuesday at Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. — AFP defensively aggressive Suns squad. “I just think Chris time decision. — AFP Keeper Martinez sends Argentina Jabeur ‘honored’ to into Copa final against Brazil represent Africa as BRASILIA: Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the Fast Argentina start Wimbledon dream ends hero as Argentina defeated Colombia on penalties on Messi produced some early magic to beat three Tuesday to set up a dream Copa America final players and cross for Martinez to head wide. against Brazil. Argentina stopper Martinez saved Colombia didn’t heed the warning and on seven min- LONDON: Ons Jabeur will not be lifting the three penalties in the shoot-out after a bruising 1-1 utes, Giovanni Lo Celso found Messi in the box, the Wimbledon women’s singles trophy this year but she draw in Brasilia. diminutive star held off the giant Mina and picked out said she was “honored” to have represented Africa Hosts Brazil beat Peru 1-0 in Monday’s first semi- Martinez to fire into the far corner. Colombia almost with such style and gusto. Aryna Sabalenka ended final meaning their star forward Neymar will line up hit back immediately but goalkeeper Martinez was Jabeur’s historic run at Wimbledon, the second-seeded LONDON: Australia’s Ashleigh Barty practices on the against Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Saturday at Rio down quickly to keep out Juan Cuadrado’s low strike. Belarus player’s power getting the better of the guile of Aorangi Practice Courts on the ninth day of the 2021 de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium. Two years ago After Argentina’s fast start, Colombia started to the Tunisian 6-4, 6-3 in 74 minutes. Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis a Brazil team missing the injured Neymar knocked dominate and Cuadrado sent a free-kick just over the Jabeur, though, took a lot of positives from the Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, yesterday. — AFP out Argentina in the semi-finals before winning their bar. The Cafeteros cranked up the pressure and hit the remarkable last few weeks which saw her become the ninth Copa title on home soil. woodwork twice in quick succession. After Wilmar first Arab woman to win a WTA event — the grass- For Messi, 34, time is running out to win a first Barrios’s half-volley deflected off Lo Celso’s hand and court tournament in Birmingham. She then beat three major international title with his national team, having struck the post, Mina headed the resulting corner onto Barty has Kerber on former Grand Slam title winners — Venus Williams, previously lost in three Copa finals and the 2014 the bar. But Argentina were a whisker away from dou- Garbine Muguruza and Iga Swiatek — on her run to World Cup final. For once he wasn’t his country’s bling their advantage on the stroke of half-time when her second Grand Slam quarter-final. main hero, although he did create the opening goal Nicolas Gonzalez powered a header from a Messi cor- her mind, Pliskova “I’m honored,” she said about representing Africa at for Lautaro Martinez on seven minutes, before Luis ner goalwards, with Colombia goalkeeper David such a huge profile global sports event. “Also trying to Diaz equalized just after the hour mark. Ospina somehow scooping the ball over the bar. prepares for Sabalenka represent a whole continent for me is very important. I In the shoot-out, goalkeeper Martinez three times try to behave well and give the right example for the dived to his left to save penalties from center-backs Di Maria impact young generation, for people following. We’re going Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina, as well as mid- Colombia remained the better side after the break LONDON: One is motivated by a significant anniver- through tough times in Tunisia with COVID and every- fielder Edwin Cardona. And although Rodrigo De with Duvan Zapata having a shot blocked and substi- sary, another rediscovered the grass is definitely thing. I’m glad that I’m giving positive thoughts to peo- Paul skied his penalty for Argentina, Messi — who tute Miguel Borja firing wide. But they deservedly greener for her form, a third is driven on by “brutal” ple there.” Jabeur departs having lost in her second finished with blood seeping visibly from his left ankle equalized on 61 minutes when Cardona took a quick critics and the fourth, the girl with a tiger tattoo, finds Grand Slam quarter-final — the 2020 Australian Open — was amongst the scorers to give them a 3-2 victo- free-kick from inside his own half and sent Diaz scam- herself in unknown Grand Slam territory. The stage is being the previous one — a “barrier” she hopes to get ry on spot-kicks. Saving penalties “is a question of pering away to hold off German Pezzella and dink a set for the women’s Wimbledon semi-finals today with across next time. However, the 26-year-old has done luck and today it was my turn to be the glorious one,” clever finish over Martinez. three of the contenders new to the experience. wonders in her goal to use her exploits to encourage said Martinez. “We said it the first day, we want to Argentina brought on Angel Di Maria for Gonzalez Headline names such as 2019 champion Simona young Arab women — especially North African — to play the final and what better than playing Brazil on and the tricky winger immediately brought more Halep, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka and take up the sport. their pitch.” urgency to his side’s attack. But Di Maria and seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams are “I know that since 2011, since I won the junior Argentina and Colombia were actually supposed Martinez contrived to butcher a glorious chance to missing but there is the present world number one and Roland Garros title, I know that there are many girls to be joint hosts but South American football’s gov- give Argentina the lead again.