Fireworks on the Plaza: Fans hope Bucks will tie up the series after historic Game 3 win

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Sunday was a night 47 years in the making. Milwaukee Bucks fans celebrated the team's first win of the NBA Finals on the Plaza outside Fiserv Forum.

Tens of thousands of fans on the Plaza were thrilled to see this Finals series finally start to go their way. They were feeling confident going into the second half of the game, and their energy continued to increase throughout the game.

One fan, Charles Talbot, said Monday is his birthday, and he could not have asked for a better birthday present.

"I couldn't believe the performance tonight from Giannis and the team. They really stepped it up a notch. Must win Game 3 and they really outshined everything we expected," Talbot said. "(A championship) hasn't happened in my lifetime. 50 years since the last time we did this. I think we're due for another one, so let's go. Game 4 -- we'll be back here Wednesday night."

Fans said the players proved home court advantage is real, and they hoped the players know they have an entire city rooting for them.

"One objective: to bring the trophy back to Milwaukee. It starts tonight. We win tonight. We keep on winning," said Nate Lauber, a Bucks fan from Fond du Lac. "We're going to support them as much as we possibly can until the very end, and hopefully the very end ends with a championship."

He and his friend Chris Daniels wore custom hats with deer antlers on them.

"It means the world to me to be out here with all of these people after the whole pandemic and everything," Daniels said.

Ahead of the game, Milwaukee leaders celebrated the historic moment in the city's history.

"This is the first time in 47 years that the city of milwaukee is hosting an NBA finals game, so that's a big deal for most people in this community. It's the first time in their lifetime that we have an NBA finals game here the city of Milwaukee," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

He called Sunday a "coming out party" after a tough year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Barrett said he was thrilled thousands of tourists and fans will spend money in Milwaukee during the Finals. The city estimates each home game to bring in more than $3.7 million.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was "guaranteeing a win" in Game 3. 

"We just have to make sure that (the players) feel the love all across this this whole region today and on Wednesday for Game 4," Crowley said.