Jrue Holiday had a stellar performance for the Milwaukee Bucks in their Game 5 win in the NBA Finals. So it was expected that he would churn in another hot start against the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 on Tuesday.
Holiday is clearly one of the Bucks' anchors and he needs to be special from the get-go. But that's easier said than done in a high-pressure possible close-out game.
Holiday had a horrible start in Game 6, only making one of his 11 field goal attempts in the first half for a measly 9.1 percent. Because of this, he matched Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki for an unwanted NBA Finals record for the second lowest field goal percentage in the opening half of an NBA Finals game in the last 25 years. Nowitzki shot 1-of-12 from the floor for a ghastly 8.3 percent in Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals (via ESPN Statistics & Information).
Jrue Holiday shot 1-11 (9.1%) in the 1st half, the 2nd-worst field goal percentage in the 1st half of an NBA Finals game over the last 25 years (min. 10 FGA). Dirk Nowitzki shot 8.3% (1-12) in the 1st half of Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals at the Heat. pic.twitter.com/lziRfpsQPa
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 21, 2021
But even though Holiday struggled to put the ball in the hoop, he still contributed in other facets, grabbing a couple of rebounds and dishing out several assists. As usual, the former UCLA star also tried to put the clamps on Chris Paul and Devin Booker, although the Suns' All-Star duo found their groove early.
Holiday made the key steal on Booker in Game 5, leading to an and-1 dunk from Giannis Antetokounmpo, which ultimately led to their victory. Despite a forgettable first half in Game 6, Holiday is talented enough to make up for an awful performance.
For what it's worth for Jrue Holiday, Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks eventually won the title in the 2011 NBA Finals.
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