2021 NBA Finals Preview
Phoenix Suns Open as -160 Favourites vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Finals Begin Tuesday
The 2021 NBA Finals are all set.
The Milwaukee Bucks took care of business on Saturday night, winning Game 6 against what had been the suprising Atlanta Hawks to win the Eastern Conference championship – 4 games to 2. The Bucks advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974 where they will face the Phoenix Suns.
It's been a playoffs filled with unpredictability, and these two teams in the finals caps the NBA's most unusual season in memory.
Tip off for Game 1 comes on Tuesday.
Here's a look at the Finals' schedule, which was released last night:
As for betting odds, the Suns prevailed in the better conference and are now predicted to win what would be the first championship in franchise history. The Suns, founded in 1968, haven't ever shined as brightly as right now, especially in the eyes of bettors.
The big question is injuries. Milwaukee has them, and Phoeniz doesn't.
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the last two games of the Bucks-Hawks series, but that didn't matter much as the rest of the Milwaukee roster rose to the occasion. The competition will be much tougher playing against Phoenix, however. No doubt, if the Bucks don’t get to full strength on the court, they'll be underdogs in most, if not all games.
The Suns have avoided major injuries that have plagued most teams in the NBA all season. Chris Paul missed a few games in COVID-19 protocols, and Cameron Payne left Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals with an injury, but he returned for Game 4. No doubt, the Suns have been the healthiest team this postseason, and have played incredibly well – with Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton leading the way.
Phoenix will also enjoy the home court advantage. This edge is all thanks to their superior regular season record. The Suns finished second in the Western Conference at 51 wins and 21 losses. Meanwhile, Milwaukee was the third seed in the East at 46 win and 26 losses.
Note: We'll be posting predictions and picks for every NBA Final starting on Tuesday.
