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'So ridiculous': NBA fans in awe of 'superhuman' Giannis

Giannis Antetokounmpo turned in a historic performance to steer the Bucks to a game three victory over Phoenix in the NBA Finals. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo turned in a historic performance to steer the Bucks to a game three victory over Phoenix in the NBA Finals. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

NBA fans were blown away by an exquisite performance from Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to win game three of the NBA Finals over Phoenix.

The Bucks overpowered the Suns 120-100 to win their first game of the series at home - though they still trail Phoenix 2-1.

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Antetokopunmpo, the two-time NBA MVP, turned in a historic performance to finish with 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assist.

Following a 42-point effort in Game 2, Antetokounmpo joined LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Jordan as the only players in the last 50 seasons to log back-to-back 40-point Finals games.

Jordan holds the record with four straight 40-point games in the 1993 Finals.

"I'm not Michael Jordan," Antetokounmpo said Sunday, "but all I care about right now is getting one more."

Back in front of his own fans and free of the loud counts he's been hearing on the road, Antetokounmpo went 13-of-17 at the line.

Backing up Antetokounmpo was point guard Jrue Holiday who finished with 21 points and Khris Middleton who added 18.

"In order for us to be back (in) this series and give ourselves an opportunity to win this game, to win this series, to be champions, we got to bring it," Antetokounmpo added.

"We've got to stay aggressive, it's all mental right now."

NBA fans were in awe of the absurd numbers Antetokounmpo put up, taking to Twitter to express their admiration.

Unlike Game 2, Antetokounmpo got efficient help from co-stars Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, who combined for 39 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds on 14-for-28 shooting (8 of 17 from 3-point range).

Just as important, they led a perimeter defensive effort that held Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges to 33 combined points three nights after that Suns trio torched the Bucks for a total of 81 points.

Bucks dominate game three of NBA Finals against Phoenix

Fans broke out their "Bucks in 6! Bucks in 6!" chant as Milwaukee started to pull away in the first half and then again as the benches emptied with the final minutes.

The Bucks are seeking their second NBA title and hadn't even played for one in 47 years. They grabbed control of this game by outscoring Phoenix 30-9 over the last nine minutes of the second quarter, then ending the third with a 16-0 finish.

"We knew what we had to do," Holiday said.

"We've been in this position before. We knew what this game meant to us and meant to the city."

The Bucks rode an all-time game from Giannis Antetokounmpo and and improved showing from Khris Middleton to a game three win in the NBA Finals. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Bucks rode an all-time game from Giannis Antetokounmpo and and improved showing from Khris Middleton to a game three win in the NBA Finals. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Bucks, who lost the first two games against the Brooklyn Nets in the second round, avoided falling into a 3-0 hole from which no NBA team has escaped.

They limited the Suns to nine three-pointers after Phoenix hit 20 in their Game 2 victory.

The Suns scored 118 points in each of the first two games to build a 2-0 series lead but shot 29 per cent from deep in Game 3.

Chris Paul had 19 points and nine assists, and Phoenix got 18-apiece from Jae Crowder and DeAndre Ayton. But the visitors got next to nothing from Devin Booker who scored just 10 points off 3-of-14 shooting.

Booker missed nine of his 11 shot attempts in the first half and sat out the entire fourth quarter.

With Yahoo Sports US/AAP

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