The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns 123-119 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena on Saturday, going on top in the series 3-2.

This may be the closest game of the Finals. The "Big 3" of both sides made the best performance – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday dropped a total of 88 points for the Bucks while Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton together scored 81 points for the Suns.

The two sides were close in other stats as well: (Bucks) 37-35 (Suns) in rebounds, (Bucks) 14-13 (Suns) in 3-pointers, (Bucks) 9-10 (Suns) in free throws made, (Bucks) 12-14 (Suns) in second-chance points, (Bucks) 46-52 (Suns) in points in the paint and (Bucks) 16-17 (Suns) in points via turnovers.

Antetokounmpo had 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He made mid-range jumpers on several possessions facing Ayton alone. That forced Ayton to change his defensive choices and, as a result, made it easier for Holiday and Middleton to charge the rim. Of course, the most important play of the Greek Freak was the alley-oop he made in the end. Antetokounmpo extended the Bucks' lead from one point (120-119) to three (122-119) when there were only 13.5 seconds left.

Middleton got 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists, with 20 of his points scored in the second half. Moreover, Middleton claimed six points alone to help the Bucks lead by eight (120-112) at 2:23 in the last quarter.

And then there was Holiday. His defense on Paul played an integral role for the Bucks in the past three games. But this time, Holiday regained his form offensively. He made 10 of his 16 jumper attempts, including three out of six from beyond the arc, to get 27 points, 13 assists and three steals. His 14 points and five assists in the second quarter led the Bucks to a 43-24 run to overcome a 16-point trail.

Most of Holiday's points and assists took place in the first three quarters. He stopped buzzing after the Suns put Mikal Bridges in to defend him. However, Holiday was the one who assisted Antetokounmpo to complete that significant alley-oop. More importantly, he stole the ball from Booker seconds earlier to make the play even possible.

"Honestly, it was great team defense. I feel like we knew Booker wanted to take that last shot and played great defense on him and made him turn his back, and he turned right into me. I guess I was just in the right place at the right time," said Holiday after the game.

By contrast, the Suns missed an important opportunity to hold the series in their hands. They must win Game 6 at Fiserv Forum to at least return home for the last fight in Game 7. Nonetheless, the Bucks were full of momentum after claiming three straight wins in the series.

The Suns could have won at home in G5. They had a fantastic beginning in Q1. Booker had 11 points, Ayton got eight points, Paul delivered four assists, even Jae Crowder scored eight points via two triples and one fast-break dunk. The Suns led 37-21, shooting 73.68 percent in field goals in this quarter. They should thank the Bucks for the six turnovers they committed and the disastrous defensive work by Jeff Teague.

Things began to change as Ayton rested on the bench – the 22-year-old rested for less than four minutes but that's all it took for things to go wrong. Without Ayton, the Suns' defense was vulnerable enough for them to be outscored by 19 by the Bucks in Q2. Paul and Booker also became defensive weaknesses for Middleton and Holiday to exploit.

Despite such disadvantage, the Suns still pulled through the third quarter, partly thanks to 14 points by Booker and Ayton's defensive existence in the paint displayed via two blocks. Booker continued to fire to knock down another 11 points in Q4. He was invested enough on defense as well, committing three personal fouls. Paul stood out too to drain three jumpers, including two from downtown, to get 10 points.

The Suns cut the deficit to one (120-119) after Paul beat Pat Connaughton with a spin and made a layup. There was less than one minute left in the game. The Suns forced Middleton to call a timeout and made Holiday shoot and miss a tough floater.

Booker grabbed the rebound and dribbled to the front court. The Suns had a timeout but did not use it. Booker faced P.J. Tucker, drove his way in and tricked Tucker to jump with a fake shot. Antetokounmpo came to help. With him and Tucker obstructing his way, Booker could neither shoot or nor see the open Ayton cutting toward the rim. Booker stopped and turned around – perhaps trying to pass the ball to the open Paul standing behind him at the 3-point line.

Holiday was standing behind Booker too and he was much closer. Holiday striped Booker's ball, drove forward, threw the ball above the rim before Antetokounmpo slammed it down hard into the basket.

Paul tried to stop Antetokounmpo by committing a foul but he failed. Though the Greek Freak did not make the extra free throw, "he missed so bad that it became so difficult for the Suns to get defensive rebound" – in Jeff Van Gundy's words. Middleton had the ball and the Suns had to foul him at 9.8 seconds. Middleton made one of the two free throws before the Suns missed their last desperate attempts.

The Suns did their best, yet they still lost. That may be more hurtful than the loss.

Game 6 will happen at Fiserv Forum on July 20.