PHOENIX: Chris Paul made sure his long-awaited NBA Finals debut would be one to remember, scoring 32 points and adding nine assists to spark the Phoenix Suns over the Milwaukee Bucks 118-105 in Tuesday's opening game of the championship series.
The 36-year-old backcourt maestro, in his 16th season, delivered clutch scoring and added nine assists while Devin Booker added 27 points and 22-year-old Bahamas big man Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 19 rebounds in dominating the Bucks.
"I just kept trying to be aggressive and my guys got going," Paul said. "It's trust. We've played like this all season. We just have to stay locked in."
Phoenix will try to grab a 2-0 edge when the best-of-seven showdown continues Thursday.
"There was a lot of energy coming into this game," Paul said. "We got one. We've got to get another one."
The Suns, in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, seek their first league title while the Bucks, in their first finals since 1974, won their only crown 50 years ago.
"We'll look at the film," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We'll get smarter. We'll get better for game two."
Milwaukee started Greek star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had missed two games with a hyperextended left knee, and he contributed 20 points and 17 rebounds in 35 minutes.
"It was tough. Had to do my best to get back," Antetokounmpo said. "Did the right treatment. Took care of my body. Supported my teammates. Now I'm back.
"Felt great. I had my balance. Felt my knee was stable. I did not feel pain. I felt good."
But even with 29 points from Khris Middleton, it wasn't enough against Paul and a swifter, more defensively aggressive Suns squad.
"I just think Chris Paul got a little too comfortable," Bucks standout Jrue Holiday said.
Paul, with the second-most games of any NBA player making his finals debut, went 12-of-19 from the floor, 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
"I'm just so locked into the game," Paul said. "I'm staying in the moment. I'm just focused on the task at hand."
Paul went 6-of-7 for 16 points in the third quarter, when the Suns stretched the lead as large as 20 points.
Antetokounmpo scored off a rebound to pull Milwaukee within 101-94 in the fourth quarter, but a steal and hoop by Paul helped keep the Bucks at bay.
ENERGY AND JUICE
"To win the first game, it gives you a level of confidence," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "It was just having the energy and the juice that we typically play with. It's important. Our guys understand that."
Ayton became the first player with 15 points and 15 rebounds in his NBA Finals debut since Tim Duncan in 1999.
The Suns went 25-of-26 from the free throw line, missing only the last to keep them from an NBA Finals record.
The Suns, who haven't lost in 11 playoff games when leading by 10 or more, opened a 65-52 lead early in the third quarter.
Phoenix led 30-26 after the first quarter and 57-49 at halftime. Booker had 16 points in the first half and Paul added 11, six of them in a 10-4 run to give the Suns a 45-38 edge.
Antetokounmpo had eight points, five rebounds and two assists in the first quarter, making a solid start after being a game-time decision. -- AFP
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