CGTN Sports Talk

The Milwaukee Bucks claimed a significant victory against the Phoenix Suns in a close Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Players from both teams had their best performances of the series.

The Bucks have won three straight after falling behind 2-0 in the series. Game 6 will happen at their home arena, Fiserv Forum, on July 20. Judging by how the series has gone so far, the Suns do not seem to have much room for any adjustments.

If the Bucks win the championship, it will be their second title in franchise history after winning it the first time in 1971.

This year's NBA Finals reached a 2-2 draw after the Milwaukee Bucks achieved their second straight win at home. Jrue Holiday locking down Chris Paul, Khris Middleton's exploding score as well as Giannis Antetokounmpo's sweeping defense are all moving the series toward the Bucks' way.

On the Suns' side, Devin Booker left another career highlight dropping 42 points on the court, but both Paul and Deandre Ayton seemed to be struggling. Though Game 5 will happen at the Suns' home, the series is now two out of three instead of four out of seven. The Suns can't afford to make many more mistakes.

Italy defeated England in a penalty shootout to win the UEFA European Championship title after falling behind early. Judging by the performance of Gli Azzurri (the Blues), they are one of the most legit candidates to claim the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

On England's side, wasting the 1-0 lead from 1:57 was heartbreaking and so were some of manager Gareth Southgate's decisions. Nonetheless, England showed they have what it takes to compete for one of the top honors in the football world. All the "Three Lions" need is another chance on a similar stage.

Giannis Antetokounmpo put down back-to-back 40+points and 10+rebounds to help the Milwaukee Bucks achieve victory in their first game at home in the NBA Finals. The 2-1 score means the series is not over and the Bucks might have found their key to reversing the situation.

By contrast, the Suns are facing their biggest weakness: lack of depth, especially in the center position. Nothing could be better proof that they need Deandre Ayton to stay on the court as long as possible to contribute both offensively and defensively.

The Phoenix Suns are leading the Milwaukee Bucks 2-0 after the first two games at home in the NBA Finals. Though they are going to Milwaukee for two straight road games and may be without two of their regular players, many still consider the Suns to be the championship favorites.

By contrast, the Bucks are only one loss away from the 3-0 abyss – a place no team has ever crawled back from to win an NBA playoff series. Giannis Antetokounmpo did everything he could in Game 2, but the Suns answered every move the Bucks made on the court.

The Tokyo Olympics is less than two weeks away. Though no one spectators can attend the events in the venues this time, many of the world's top athletes will still compete with each other in the Japanese capital.

For example, Simone Biles of the U.S., will continue her gymnastic gold-reaping journey in Tokyo.

The Chinese table tennis team is looking to extend its dominance as well.

Trayvon Bromell of the U.S. is on Usain Bolt's must-watch list for the men's 100-meter sprinting event.

And the Chinese women's volleyball team wants nothing but to defend its throne.

CGTN Sports Talk host Hu Zhicheng is joined by senior editor and proud Englishman Josh McNally to review England's mesmerizing and nerve-shredding journey to the final of Euro 2020. The Three Lions are just one game away from ending their 55-year trophy drought.

The one last hurdle that England are facing at Wembley on Sunday night is Roberto Mancini's marvelous Italy. Will football finally come home?

The Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Phoenix Suns on the road on Tuesday. In fact, they lost Game 1 of every series in the postseason so far.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who many assumed would sit on Tuesday's game due to injury, played in the game and scored a double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds. However, that did not seem to help the Bucks much.

Neither did multiple decisions coach Mike Budenholzer made on defense. He had P.J. Tucker, not Jrue Holiday, defend Chris Paul, switched Brook Lopez (and Bobby Portis) to cover Paul (and Devin Booker), and turned back closing in around the rim in the second half, all part of the reasons behind the loss in G1.

What can Budenholzer do to make a change in Game 2 on Thursday?

Chris Paul, 36, will play in the first NBA Finals of his 16-year career after dropping 41 points and eight assists in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Of course, that's not the only thing the veteran "Point God" is after – nothing beats a ring on his finger.

Things grew tricky in the East where the Conference Finals reached a 2-2 draw. Moreover, both the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks may lack their best players – namely Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo – in the coming Game 5 of the series on Thursday because of injury.

CGTN Sports Talk host Hu Zhicheng is joined by senior editor Josh McNally to analyze England's hopes of winning a major tournament for the first time since 1966 after finally ending decades of suffering at the hands of their bitter rivals Germany.

While the Three Lions' path to the Euro 2020 final looks appealing, which potential opponents could be their biggest threat?