Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview: Overcoming Loss of Giannis
The Milwaukee Bucks seem to have overcome their yips when it comes to the postseason, running through the field in the Eastern Conference to get to the Finals. But they will have to overcome an even bigger adversity at the start of the NBA Finals, with two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo listed as doubtful to compete in the first game of the series. Now, Milwaukee will have to find production from unlikely sources to offset the loss of their best player.
In two games against the Phoenix Suns this season, Antetokounmpo averaged 40 points, including a 47-point performance in one of those regular-season matchups. Without him, the Bucks could slide Bobby Portis back into the lineup, which worked well for them against the Atlanta Hawks. But Portis isn’t going to have a 47-point game anytime soon, and even a good game by his standards might not be enough.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview: The Pressure of Expectations
For the Phoenix Suns, health is not an issue the way that it is for the Bucks right now. Chris Paul and Devin Booker appear to be healthy, as are their role players. Instead of injury concerns, the biggest concern for the Suns coming into this year’s NBA Finals might just be the weight of expectations given their status as the favorite to win this game and this series.
It is worth keeping in mind that the Suns, like the Bucks, have virtually no experience in the NBA Finals. While Chris Paul and Devin Booker are the stars for this Suns team, those players have not taken part in the Finals yet in their careers. In fact, Suns forward Jae Crowder is the only player in this series with experience in the Finals, having played in six Finals games last year for the Miami Heat.
Helping the Suns to overcome that pressure could be the play of DeAndre Ayton. Ayton has been nearly automatic from the field during the postseason but may be facing his toughest test yet in the Bucks’ interior defense. Brook Lopez has been effective in protecting the paint at times this postseason, and Phoenix won’t be able to afford Ayton being slowed down.
Milwaukee and Phoenix Odds and Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook has the Phoenix Suns as a 6-point favorite against the Milwaukee Bucks heading into this matchup.
Free Play of the Night
This line is too small based on the absence of the two-time MVP for the Milwaukee Bucks. Expect the Phoenix Suns to run away with this game to set the tone for this series and to highlight just how important it will be to have Giannis back in action.
The Suns -6 is the best play for this matchup.
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