NBA Finals Betting 2021 – Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns Game 1
The Phoenix Suns guaranteed there’d be a new NBA champion when they knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round. A few weeks later the Suns are one of two teams still standing with only the Milwaukee Bucks standing between them and the first title in franchise history. The Bucks overcame the Atlanta Hawks in the East finals winning the last two games without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. While they certainly have a talented roster to get by without the Greek Freak the Bucks would much rather have their leading scorer in the lineup. His status ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday is still unclear.
Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns
Date and Time: Tuesday, July 6, 2021, 9 p.m. ET
Location: Phoenix Suns Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Opening NBA Odds: Phoenix -5.5, O/U 216.5
Bucks at Suns TV Coverage: ABC
Odds Analysis
With the Bucks being tight-lipped about the status of Antetokounmpo ahead of Game 1, oddsmakers installed the Suns as a 5.5-point favorite on the opening NBA betting line. The number has since been wagered to Phoenix -6 and more movement is likely before tipoff. The Suns have been a solid bet this postseason going 11-5 ATS, however they lost outright as the favorite in their last home game of the Clippers series. Still, they are 6-2 SU and ATS on their home floor this postseason. Milwaukee rose to the occasion in the last two games of the East finals playing some of their best basketball without Giannis. The offense clicked and the Bucks covered both games improving to 4-1 ATS in their last five games and 11-7 ATS overall. The total also spiked to 218.5 after opening at 216.5.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have relied on Antetokounmpo over the last few seasons but they showed they are much more than just him by knocking off the Hawks. Milwaukee actually had a winning record in games the Freak missed during the regular season and they played stellar basketball in the final two games of the East finals. But can they compete against the second-best team in the NBA during the regular season without Giannis? The Bucks were more efficient offensively taking down the Hawks with Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez all stepping up. Lopez had a monster outing in Game 5 against the Hawks scoring 33 points and dominating the paint. He probably won’t have numbers like that facing Deandre Ayton, but he’ll also zero-factor one of Phoenix’s top threats.
The players that needed to up their game to reach this point certainly did in Antetokounmpo’s absence. But the biggest contributor is a guy who didn’t even play in the last three games of the Brooklyn series. Bobby Portis Jr. slipped into the starting role supplying the club with intensity and strong defense. That he scored 22 points in Game 5 was a plus, but not unexpected. The Bucks made a concerted effort to strengthen their team during the offseason with Holiday the biggest acquisition. But having Portis on the club has been just as important, just ask the Hawks.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns might be the sentimental pick to win the title because of Chris Paul. There’s nothing that says a guy who’s been around as long as Paul deserves to have a ring. There are plenty of players who had distinguished careers that never won a title. The Suns have to go out and earn it and they’ve been playing good basketball the entire postseason. They responded after dropping Game 5 at home to whoop the Clippers on the road reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. This was a young, inexperienced group when the season started and the addition of Paul’s veteran leadership allowed them to post the second-best record. There were still questions once the playoffs started, but Devin Booker and Ayton picked up the slack. They are no longer a young team on the rise.
The playoff schedule worked in the Suns favor with a few extra days to rest and prepare after putting down the Clippers. That’s good for Paul, who revealed he’s playing with ligament damage in his shooting hand. And Booker wasn’t the same threat offensively when he put on the mask to protect his busted nose. The Suns have a good mix and they played strong defensively. They’ll need the same effort against a Bucks club that’s embraced the underdog role.
Bet Bucks at Suns at BookMaker.eu
The Bucks rallied around their fallen leader to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974. They are a good team even without Antetokounmpo and guys like Middleton and Holiday took on the challenge. We probably won’t see Giannis when the series starts and that’s just fine with the Bucks, who will rally again to steal one on the road behind a surging offense.
NBA Score Prediction: Bucks 117, Suns 110
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
