Phoenix Suns prepared for their time in the NBA Finals

THE Phoenix Suns are up 2-0 over the Milwaukee Bucks in their best-of-seven National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals series and they are the least surprised by it.

Following their 118-108 victory in Game Two on Friday (Manila time), the Suns moved two wins away from winning their first-ever NBA championship in franchise history.

Phoenix banked on a franchise-record 20 three-pointers for the game, on solid 50% shooting, and steady ball movement to get the better of the Bucks anew in the series.

Devin Booker top-scored for the Suns with 31 points, including seven triples. Mikal Bridges stepped up with 27 points while veteran guard Chris Paul had 23 in the win.

The victory eclipsed a stellar performance from Milwaukee star and two-time NBA most valuable player Giannis Antetokounmpo who had 42 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in Game Two.

For Mr. Booker, for them to be up a deuce in the series is not surprising from their end as he feels they are ready for their time in the NBA Finals.

“To be completely honest, you know, I think the whole playoff experience helped to tone it down a bit because I feel like we have seen a lot of situations and different coverages, and we have been through it all, through the regular season and stressing the details of the game,” the 24-year-old Suns gunner said in the post-Game Two press conference, the transcript of which was shared to BusinessWorld.

“So, I think we’re prepared for this moment. Obviously, Milwaukee is no slouch and they make it tough on us and they’re always going to make it tougher on us, but we have seen a lot as a team,” he added.

He went on to say that while they have built some cushion in the series heading to Milwaukee for Game Three today here, it was important for them to continue to have that “seize the moment” mentality and not run away from the challenge.

“We prepared for these moments, nobody’s running from any action or any type of moment, and it’s not just me, it’s 1 through 5. It’s all the collective group, it’s team basketball and that’s why I feel like we have been successful for most of the year,” he said.

Game Two of the NBA Finals can be seen on television over TV5 and NBA TV Philippines on Monday beginning at 8 a.m. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo