The Phoenix Suns are just two wins away from winning their first NBA championship. They’ve had a remarkable season all year and now the world has finally seen how capable they are for this moment. Led by Chris Paul and head coach Monty Williams, the Suns are a well-coached team consisting of players who know their roles and embody arguably the best on-court chemistry in the league all year. 

They Suns defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the past two games thanks to their defense and the equal contributions on offense. The best part about this Suns team is that role players like Jae Crowder (who was a +19 in Game 1 and +10 in Game 2), Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton have something to add on offense, and of course All-Stars like Paul and Devin Booker have taken it to another level. 

The Suns’ starting backcourt combined for 54 points in Game 2 after scoring 59 points in Game 1, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Bucks have yet to answer the Suns’ defense either, because the latter has found a way to counter their game plan in both games. 

But this doesn’t mean the Suns should take the Bucks lightly moving forward. As Booker said, it’s important they get the job done. Milwaukee is not going to go away just like that, so the Suns need to bring it more than ever as Game 3 takes place in Wisconsin. 

Here’s what the Suns can do to win Game 3.

1. Find a way to contain Giannis more

The Suns have yet to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they can beat the Bucks every time he’s not on the court. The Bucks will probably approach Game 3 as a do-or-die game and will use their best strategy (aka Giannis at the 5) as much as they can. In Game 2, Giannis tallied 42 points, 12 rebounds and four assists (with an injured knee!) and was a +3 in 40:07 minutes. It would be great for the Suns if they can find a way to at least limit Giannis’ free-throw attempts and his ability to get to the rim. 

2. Keep limiting Kris Middleton and Jrue Holiday

Nobody outside of Antetokounmpo had more than 20 points in Game 2. Middleton shot 5-of-16 and finished with only 11 points, while Holiday shot 7-of-21 and only pitched in 17 points. This is unacceptable for the Bucks. The Suns’ defense has just been on point and has made it a one-man show for Giannis. 

This is likely going to change, especially because the Bucks play better at home. There’s a good chance that they’ll shoot better than 29 percent from the 3-point line. The Suns have to make sure they continue to make it hard for Middleton and Holiday to get in rhythm. 

3. Don’t settle 

Despite protecting home court, the Suns cannot let go of the rope when they get to Wisconsin. There are tendencies where teams relax when they’re up 2-0 and end up playing with their food. The best time to close this is as fast as possible by doing what they’ve been best at all season: Let Book be Book and Paul continue to play chess out there. Don’t let the role players settle but instead continue to manipulate and give the Bucks’ defense trouble. 

If the Suns continue to counter wisely and come up with the best game plan, they can go back to The Valley as the new NBA champions.