The NBA Finals are officially set to tip-off Tuesday night as the Phoenix Suns host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1. The Bucks secured their trip to the finals with a Game 6 win over the Atlanta Hawks Saturday night. Although this isn't the highly anticipated matchup that fans expected, both teams earned their way to the biggest stage and want to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy.
The Bucks came into this postseason with a chip on their shoulder. They have been dismantled in the playoffs the past few years despite having the best record in the regular season. To begin the playoffs, Milwaukee got revenge for last year's semifinals matchup by sweeping the Miami Heat and dominating Games 2-4.
The next matchup was against the Brooklyn Nets in the semifinals, where they took a clinching Game 7 victory at the Barclays Center. It was a dominant back and forth superstar matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo against Kevin Durant. After slipping the first two games of the series, the Bucks regrouped and took four of the next five games of the series. Fans can say that Kyrie Irving and James Harden’s injuries were the turning point for Brooklyn. But the Bucks believed they earned their way to this year’s Eastern Conference Finals.
The Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in six games, capturing their first NBA Finals appearance since 1974. The chances looked slim for a Finals clinch after Giannis went down with a hyperextended knee in Game 4. But with strong performances from Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and others, the Bucks were able to take the last two games against a hobbled Trae Young and the Hawks.
The Phoenix Suns were a team with high expectations heading into the postseason. Head coach Monty Williams has done a phenomenal job rejuvenating the franchise and providing confidence to his players. The Suns took down the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games despite a shoulder injury to Chris Paul. In the next series, they swept the Denver Nuggets, who MVP Nikola Jokic led. The two series win placed them in a position to face the Los Angeles Clippers in the Conference Finals.
Both teams came into the Conference Finals missing key players. The Suns were without Chris Paul the first two games due to COVID protocols, while Kawhi Leonard dealt with a sprained ACL for the Clippers. As the Suns won Games 1 and 2 on their home floor, Paul returned in Game 3, and the Suns were able to take two road wins in games 4 and 6 to clinch their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993.
Both the Suns and the Bucks understand what is at stake as they prepare to clinch an NBA championship. The fight and discipline to get to this level have been phenomenal on both sides. Now it is time for their biggest keys to winning the next four games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo returns for Game 1
There's no question that Giannis wants to be out on the floor and continue to succeed with his teammates. His hyperextended right knee is not as bad as many expected and was listed as questionable the last two games of the conference finals. As the Bucks have two days to prepare for Game 1 of the finals, it gives Giannis plenty of time to get ready to suit up with his team and make a return.
Giannis has been a superstar in this postseason, with averages 28.2 points and 12.7 rebounds through 15 games. In big games, he has come strong with monster performances and put the team on his back. As Giannis looks to make his short return to the Bucks’ lineup, it will automatically elevate their chances of being the favorites to win the championship.
Devin Booker leads the way for Phoenix
Everyone understands how valuable Chris Paul has meant to the Suns. He also understands that this is Devin Booker’s moment to shine. The six-year shooting guard has been phenomenal in his first postseason, averaging 27 points per game on 44 percent shooting. Without Booker’s high level of play, it's nearly impossible for the Suns to overcome the Bucks without his offense.
DEVIN BOOKER WITH AUTHORITY 😤 pic.twitter.com/3BQi2QX1r7
— ESPN (@espn) July 1, 2021
Booker will certainly have his obstacles to overcome on offense. He will likely be matched up against Jrue Holiday, who is a two-time All-Defensive First Team. The physical defense will not be something that Booker is unfamiliar with in this postseason. He will answer to the challenge phenomenally and carry the load offensively for Phoenix.
Deandre Ayton will have the edge over Brook Lopez
The two starting big men in the Finals have both had their share of success in this postseason. DeAndre Ayton has been strong in the middle for Phoenix this postseason while Lopez is coming off of a strong playoff series against the Hawks. The center position may be one of the most important factors that determine this series. So both players will need to stay focused to help their team succeed.
Both players can be a hardcover for one another. They can both space the floor and hit perimeter shots while also becoming physical under the basket. While Ayton shows more versatility for this ability to run screen and roll, Lopez will more likely have his hands full trying to cover his speed and versatility. As far as Ayton, trying to contain Lopez may be a bigger task than people expect.
With that being said, Ayton will be the player to win this matchup in the series. He can score in a multitude of ways that could be too much for Lopez to contain. Plus, defensively Ayton understands his impact can elevate the Suns throughout this series.
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