Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns NBA Finals Game 1 Betting Preview/Player Prop
06 July 2021
Milwaukee was the number three seed in the Eastern Conference this season, but they were always considered a contender. The Bucks were able to upset the heavily-favored Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Phoenix has lost just four games so far during this playoff run and rattled off nine straight wins at one point. The Suns have been dominant at home all season long, and having a homecourt advantage is going to help.
The Phoenix Suns are six-point favorites at home in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.
No Antetokounmpo For Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are hoping that Giannis Antetokounmpo can play in this series, but he is doubtful for the series opener. Antetokounmpo has missed the previous two games, and that leaves Milwaukee without one of the best players in the league.
Khris Middleton has stepped up in the absence of his fellow superstar and carried the Bucks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Middleton is scoring more than 23 points per game in the playoffs, but the Bucks are going to need a monster performance on Tuesday night.
Milwaukee has allowed nearly 113 points per game all season long, and they are going to have to play better defense to win this game.
Paul Ready For First Finals Trip
Suns point guard Chris Paul is going to be a Hall of Famer when his career is over, but this will be his first-ever appearance in the NBA Finals. Paul is averaging 18.1 points and 8.7 assists per game this postseason, and it is his presence that transformed the Suns' franchise.
Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are the future for the Suns, and that duo has played great during this playoff run. The young stars have combined for more than 40 points per game, and both will be matchup problems for the Bucks.
Phoenix is also one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and they have the ability to shut down the Milwaukee Bucks.
Suns Dominate Series Opener
The Phoenix Suns are getting a huge edge in the series opener as the Bucks will be without their biggest star. Phoenix simply can't afford to lose this game, and this team will be well-rested and ready to put on a show.
Milwaukee has proven that they can win games without their biggest star, but those wins came against the Atlanta Hawks. The Bucks are now facing a much tougher opponent, and winning this game in Phoenix is simply too big of a challenge.
The Suns are the better overall team, and this game has the ability to get away from Milwaukee early on. Bet the Phoenix Suns -6.0 as they roll to a double-digit victory.
Player Prop
Devin Booker (-115) Over 28.5 Points
While Chris Paul’s first trip to the NBA Finals has garnered most of the attention for the Phoenix Suns, there is no questioning the team would not be in this position if not for the play of Booker.
After leading the team with 25.6 ppg average in the regular season, the 24-year-old guard has raised the bar in the postseason with a 27.0 ppg average. Coincidentally, that is the same scoring average Booker had in his two games against the Bucks this season.
And the Kentucky product has been even better in Game 1s of the postseason. Against the Lakers in the first round, Booker erupted for 34 points on 50 percent shooting (13-26) to lead the Suns to a 99-90 victory. He bested those numbers in Game 1 against the Clippers in the conference finals as he scored 40 points on 51.7 percent shooting (15-29) in Phoenix’ 120-114 win.
With the Suns looking to match those efforts tonight, we like Booker (-115) to continue to set the tone on the offensive end and go over 28.5 points.
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