If the two-game regular-season series between these two clubs is any indication, we're in store for an incredible NBA Finals. The Suns won both games by a combined two points, and Jrue Holiday was out for one of them. In this 2021 NBA Finals odds post, we'll look at the Bucks-Suns series odds, schedule, and make a prediction.
Phoenix has reached the Finals for the first time since 1993 by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers through the first three rounds. Milwaukee clinched its first NBA Finals appearance since 1974 after knocking off the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks in the postseason.
This series will be determined by a few key factors, including the leadership and experience of Chris Paul, the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo's hyperextended knee, the coaching matchup, and the play of the reserves. With Devin Booker and Khris Middleton playing Robin for each team, we're in store for a long, star-studded affair.
Bucks-Suns Series Odds (Updated 7/18)
Milwaukee Bucks (-370)
Phoenix Suns (+310)
Bucks-Suns Series Spread (Updated 7/14)
Milwaukee Bucks +1.5 (-134)
Phoenix Suns -1.5 (+110)
Bucks-Suns Series Schedule
*Watch every NBA Finals game live with fuboTV*
Game 1: MIL 105-118 PHX
Game 2: MIL 108-118 PHX
Game 3: PHX 100-120 MIL
Game 4: PHX 103-109 MIL
Game 5: MIL 123-119 PHX
Game 6: Suns vs. Bucks, July 20 @ 9:00 PM ET (ABC)
Game 7: Bucks vs. Suns, July 22 @ 9:00 PM ET (ABC)*
*If necessary
No. 2 Phoenix Suns
Although the Suns entered the postseason as the second seed in the Western Conference, few people predicted that they'd make it this far. Now that the Suns are the betting favorite to win the championship, they have officially proved all of their doubters wrong. We should've seen this coming as the Suns ranked seventh in offensive rating and sixth in defensive rating in the regular season. They are a deep, well-oiled machine that has been clicking on all cylinders during the postseason.
Phoenix will be facing a Bucks team that has played a ton of games since the first-round sweep of the Heat. The Suns, on the other hand, have had nearly a week to rest and prepare for Game 1 of the Finals. That rest is extremely important for an experienced veteran like Chris Paul, who scored 41 points in the closeout game against the Clippers. With Devin Booker scoring 27 points per game during the postseason, Deandre Ayton dominating the paint, and Jae Crowder's recent Finals experience, this team has all of the tools to take home the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have been on the cusp of a Finals appearance for a few seasons. Although it has been a very difficult road for the Bucks this postseason, they are finally making that well-deserved trip to the Finals. After Giannis went down with a knee injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, many believed that their road would come to an end. Milwaukee didn't blink and won the next two games to clinch a birth in the Finals.
Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday carried the load for Milwaukee in two dominating team efforts without Giannis. They are still very capable in the event that Giannis isn't able to play for a portion of this series. The unknown is their ability to continue playing at this level after all of the minutes that this team has logged over the past few weeks. The Bucks will need to find their outside shooting and play elite defense if they're going to bring the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Milwaukee.
Bucks-Suns Series Prediction and Pick
It's hard to tell if Giannis Antetokounmpo will be available early on in this series. Although the Bucks showed that they are capable without their leader, I don't expect that level of play to be sustainable against a far better team in the Suns. Phoenix plays elite all-around basketball with a plethora of playmaking guards, 3-and-D wing players, and dominant big men down low. With Monty Williams and Chris Paul leading the charge, they possess the knowledge and experience advantage as well.
Milwaukee does have a few things working in its favor. The Bucks certainly have the best player on the floor if Giannis returns, and they have been elite defensively during this postseason. The Bucks are the most dominant paint-scoring team in the league, which could cause fits for young center Deandre Ayton in his first NBA Finals. The Suns' overall lack of experience hasn't caught up to them yet, but that could all change on the greater stage.
Still, I expect the Phoenix Suns to win this series because of their depth and elite young star power. They have fresher legs, home-court advantage, and many of their young stars have performed well past their years. The Suns will show that they've got next in this league and take home their first-ever NBA title.
FINAL PICKS
Bucks-Suns Series Winner: Phoenix Suns (-195)
Bucks-Suns Series Spread: Phoenix Suns -1.5 (+114)
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