Bucks bring it home: Milwaukee wins first championship since 1971

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo capped one of the greatest NBA Finals ever with 50 points — and a championship Milwaukee waited 50 years to win again.

Antetokounmpo had 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 105-98 on Tuesday night to win the series 4-2.

CHASING A CHAMPIONSHIP: MORE COVERAGE:

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• Bucks Expand Deer District To Fit Up To 65,000 Fans
• See All Stories At TMJ4.com/Bucks

It was the third game this series with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds for Antetokounmpo, a dominant performance that in just his first appearance takes its place among some of the game’s greats.

He shot 16 for 25 from the field and made 17-of-19 free throws.

Older updates:

10:00 p.m. -- All tied up with one quarter to play

With just one quarter left, the Suns are tied with the Bucks 77-77.

9:47 p.m. -- One MPD officer hurt at Deer District

MPD District 1 confirms to TMJ4 News that one MPD officer has so far suffered minor injuries from the crowd at Deer District. We'll update you as we learn more.

9:40 p.m. -- Bucks off to hot start in second half

On the strength of MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks went on a 16-8 run to start the second half to re-take the lead in Game 6.

9:25 p.m. -- Bucks trail at the half after rough second quarter

Ok what happened there? After a dominant first quarter, the Bucks had a rough second period and now trail the Suns 47-42.

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8:36 p.m. -- Bucks lead by 13 at end of first quarter

LET'S GO BUCKS! Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo both had strong quarters and the Bucks lead the Suns 29-16 after one. Just three quarters to go until a potential NBA title.

8:21 p.m. -- Fiserv Forum packed with A-list celebrities for NBA Finals Game 6

Milwaukee is the place to be! A-listers like Kendall Jenner, Dave Chappelle, and Chance the Rapper are all here for Game 6.

Here's a full list of all the celebrities we've spotted so far.

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7:35 p.m. -- Brookfield sees crowds for Game 6

It's not just Milwaukee -- a large crowd has formed for Game 6 at the Corners of Brookfield as well:

7:12 p.m. -- "Bucks In Six" himself Brandon Jennings is here for Game 6

BUCKS IN SIX! The man who created the "Bucks in Six" chant is in the house to watch the Bucks hopefully win in six games.

6:44 p.m. -- Packers Coach Matt LaFleur at Game 6

Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur is here at Fiserv Forum to show some cross-sports solidarity for Game 6!

6:19 p.m. -- Phoenix law firm supporting Suns with billboard in Milwaukee

A Phoenix law firm bought a billboard supporting the Phoenix Suns in Milwaukee, and it has Bucks fans riled up.

A few lifelong Suns fans from Warner Angle decided to buy the billboard that says "Go Suns!" on Friday. It went up on Monday, overlooking the highway near downtown.

WTMJ

"It's probably our best firm expenditure ever," said Attorney Phillip Visnansky.

6:07 p.m. -- Dedicated Milwaukee sports fans spending day at American Family Field and Deer District

MILWAUKEE — It's a double header Milwaukee sports fans could only dream of: an afternoon cheering on the Brewers followed by the potential of the Bucks winning an NBA championship for the first time in 50 years.

Some dedicated fans decided they wanted to be in the middle of all the action. Tyler Peil, proudly wearing a Bucks jersey, was one of the first fans inside American Family Field on Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm going to the Deer District later. I just feel like it's a very good day to celebrate the City of Milwaukee. The Brewers are hot right now, they're looking real good heading into the second half and I'm just real excited to cheer on two Milwaukee teams tonight," Peil said.

Read the full story here.

5:35 p.m. -- Perfect storm creates nearly record-high Milwaukee Bucks tickets for Game 6

Milwaukee has a unique chance to see the Bucks win the NBA Championship on their home court if they clinch Game 6. But that possibility is also leading to skyrocketing ticket prices.

As of noon on Tuesday, there were still standing room only seats available for Game 6. But the cost was steep, more than a thousand dollars. It was too much cash to shell out for some loyal fans.

“I would do it if I had it, but I'm not doing it,” said Ryan Leslie, who will be watching the game from the Deer District.

With the Deer District expanded to a capacity of 65,000, a lot of people say they are just as excited to see the game from there or a nearby bar.

Read the full story here.

4:14 p.m. -- Wisconsin Air National Guard to fly over Deer District for Game 6 Tuesday night

The 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard will be conducting a low-level flyover of the Deer District and Fiserv Forum for Game 6 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night, the Guard said in a statement.

Those who live in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas, as well as in Dane County, may see and hear low-flying F-16 fighter jets between 7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday.

"The 115th Fighter Wing appreciates the community's understanding as we support this historic event in Milwaukee," the statement reads.

The pilots in those F-16s will be flying for an audience of 65,000 fans in Deer District, after the Bucks expanded their footprint for the Game 6 watch party.

2:33 p.m. -- Mark Jackson calls Deer District watch party an 'unbelievable sight' ahead of Game 6

Just blocks away from Fiserv Forum, TMJ4's Ryan Jenkins caught up with NBA star Mark Jackson as he departed the Saint Kate Hotel to begin his busy day.

"I'm very familiar with the great fan base here and how wonderful it is here," said Jackson.

Jackson played for the NBA for nearly two decades. He was part of more than half-a-dozen teams from 1987 until 2004, including the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets.

From 2011 until 2014, he then coached the Golden State Warriors.

Today, he is a commentator, ready to call Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals.

"If you can pull off 65,000 outside of an arena going crazy, it's an unbelievable sight and a true compliment of just how serious they take basketball and it will be fun to watch," he said.

1:58 p.m. -- Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office closing some freeway ramps for NBA Finals Game 6 Tuesday night

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office will close some freeway ramps Tuesday night in anticipation of heavy traffic for Game 6 of the NBA Finals, according to a news release.

The exit ramps of northbound I-43 at W. McKinley Ave. and southbound I-43 at W. Fond du Lac Ave. will both be closed five minutes before the fourth quarter of Game 6 begins, the Sheriff's Office says, presumably to help more than 80,000 fans gathered at Deer District and Fiserv Forum exit downtown.

These closures are in addition to many street closures already announced for downtown Milwaukee. Click here for a full list..

1:22 p.m. -- Lou Perrine's in Kenosha will lower gas prices if the Milwaukee Bucks win Game 6

Here's a chance to score some cheaper gas while celebrating a potential championship, Bucks fans.

Lou Perrine's in Kenosha announced a special promotion Tuesday in which they will lower the price of gas by whatever score the Bucks win by.

For example, if the Bucks win by 10 points, gas would be $0.10/gallon cheaper. If the Bucks blow out the Suns and win by 25, you're going to get a quarter off each gallon of your gas.

The price change will take effect at 9 a.m. Wednesday should the Bucks win, the company announced in a tweet.

Lou Perrine's is located at 5145 Sheridan Rd. in Kenosha.

12:49 p.m. -- Many downtown Milwaukee streets closed for NBA Finals Game 6

Many downtown streets will be closed tonight for Game 6 - it's best to park away from downtown and walk. See a full list of closures here.

TMJ4

12:23 p.m. -- Milwaukee legend Milverine predicts a Game 6 win for the Milwaukee Bucks

If you needed any more reason to get hyped for Game 6, let us offer you one word: Milverine.

The Milwaukee legend was taking a stroll outside Fiserv Forum Monday night with his dog and ran into our Tom Durian. Of course, we had to get his thoughts on Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

"They can do it!" Milverine excitedly told Tom. He also gave an excited "Fear the Deer!"

12:00 p.m. -- It looks like Brandon Jennings is in Milwaukee for Game 6 of the NBA Finals

It appears as if Milwaukee will have a very special guest for Game 6 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night - Brandon Jennings himself.

Jennings, who was drafted by the Bucks back in 2009, and is the creator of the famous "Bucks in 6" chant, posted a photo on Instagram Monday night with a very simple caption: "414."

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