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It's the 2021 NBA Finals rematch as the Phoenix Suns visit Fiserv Forum to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in a 3:30 P.M. E.T. tip on Sunday. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our NBA odds series, which includes our Suns-Bucks prediction, odds, and pick we have laid out below.
Phoenix is coming off a thrilling 115-114 victory over the New York Knicks. Without their two stars Devin Booker and Chris Paul, Cam Johnson exploded for a career-high 38 points and his heroics saved the day for the Suns as he drained a walk-off game-winner to steal the game. Mikael Bridges added 20 points, while Cameron Payne made his best CP3 impression with 17 points and 16 assists. Phoenix has won two in a row since dropping back-to-back games the previous weekend.
Meanwhile, the Bucks are coming off a 118-112 road win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a typical day in the office with 34 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton also came up big with 26 points and 22 points, respectively. Like Phoenix, the Bucks also won a thriller this past week when they overcame a 14-point 4th quarter deficit to beat the East-leading Miami Heat. Milwaukee has won three games in a row.
Here is how FanDuel has set the Suns-Bucks NBA odds for this Sunday afternoon NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Suns-Bucks Odds
Phoenix Suns: +9 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks: -9 (-110)
Over: 232 (-110)
Under: 232 (-110)
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Why the Suns could cover the spread
The spread is much wider than it would have been if both teams were at full strength. But because Phoenix's star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker are not available, this should be an easy win for the defending champion Bucks. Paul is likely done for the regular season after fracturing his thumb, while Booker is out due to health and safety protocols.
The Suns have somehow managed to win the two games they've played with Booker and Paul. They blew out the Damian Lillard-less Portland Trail Blazers by 30 on Wednesday and won in an exhilarating fashion against the Knicks on Friday. Unfortunately, the man who saved the day for them, Cam Johnson, won't suit up on Sunday due to a quad contusion.
With Paul, Booker, and Johnson out, it'll be interesting how Phoenix will put up points on the board. They will need everyone to chip in if they want a chance to make this game competitive and keep it within nine points or less. Deandre Ayton will need to step up and prove why he was the no. 1 overall pick in 2018. Mikael Bridges will have to put up a strong offensive outing while dealing with Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday on the other end of the floor.
Why the Bucks could cover the spread
The Bucks haven't been dominating the regular season as they've done so in the past years. Sure, they've had some blowout wins, but there are times as well when they look like they're just coasting through games. The appeal of just taking it easy could be there since Phoenix is playing without Booker and Paul.
But there is obviously some history between the two seeing as how they were in a grueling Finals series last year. The Suns already took round 1 of the Finals rematch in Phoenix last month. The Bucks could see this as an opportunity to put on a statement game, especially against a Phoenix team devoid of its two stars. And seeing as how Phoenix blew them out by 24 points the last time they met, there could be more fuel for Milwaukee to just prey on a depleted Suns team.
Nonetheless, Phoenix has proven that it can still be dangerous even without Booker and Paul just as they showed against Portland and New York. So, Milwaukee shouldn't take them lightly. Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't one to let his foot off the gas pedal, so you know he'll give it a hundred percent no matter who the opponent is.
Milwaukee is also dealing with its own injuries, but not to the extent that the Suns are. Wesley Matthews is out due to a hamstring injury, while George Hill won't play because of neck soreness. Pat Connaughton has been out for over a month after undergoing surgery on his right finger, while Brook Lopez hasn't played since opening night due to a back injury.
Final Suns-Bucks Prediction & Pick
The Bucks should be the easy pick here. Phoenix is without Booker and Paul. In addition, Johnson, the man they leaned onto to step up in the absence of their two stars, will also sit out due to injury. It's a pretty wide spread, and there is a possibility Milwaukee just coasts through to save energy in the regular season. But you have to think they might want to make a statement out of a downed Suns team on Sunday.
Final Suns-Bucks Prediction & Pick: Bucks: -9 (-110)
