Suns, Chris Paul must overcome history with ref Scott Foster in Game 3

As if facing two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Eastern Conference Champion Milwaukee Bucks was not enough of a challenge, the Phoenix Suns will have to overcome a statistical hurdle that has nothing to do with the players on the court at all.

Referee Scott Foster will be officiating Game 3 of the NBA Finals, which is significant because teams with Suns point guard Chris Paul are 1-11 in the last 12 playoff games refereed by him.

Paul alluded to the complicated history with the long-time NBA official after Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, the last time Foster officiated a playoff game the Point God played in.

“If I was a betting man, 11 games in a row,” Paul said. “11 games in a row.”

The Suns have played two games this postseason officiated by Foster, losing in the first round and winning in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Phoenix was able to snap the streak thanks to the now famous “Valley Oop” in the final seconds of that game, a game Paul was forced to miss due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Nonetheless, the win snapped the streak for any team that Paul was rostered on even though he didn’t play.

The 11-game losing streak dated back to 2013.

Milwaukee has been unable to slow down the Suns so far in the NBA Finals.

Phoenix was able to take the first two games of the series at home, but now the location shifts to Milwaukee where the Bucks will enjoy homecourt advantage.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals is on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Catch all the Finals action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Follow @GrandpaKeebs