The 2021 NBA Finals is finally here! The Milwaukee Bucks are back for the first time since 1974. And for the Phoenix Suns, this marks their first trip since 1993. It has been 28 years since either team last made it in. Khris Middleton was one. Jrue Holiday was two. Chris Paul was eight. And Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton were not born yet. Time is crazy.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely out for Game 1, but it means nothing for the Bucks. Yes, he is a 2x NBA MVP and one of the best players in the world. But they beat the Atlanta Hawks twice without him, including a road game in a hostile environment. Whatever crowd they have in Phoenix, the team has already been through it. The team is showing that without its star, they can still turn it all the way up.
Phoenix, meanwhile, was expected to be here. 28 years later, and they are back. Michael Jordan is not walking through the other door, meaning they have a real chance now. A whole lot has changed since 1993, including the birth of two of the best players on the Suns team. Suns coach Monty Williams was a cast-off of sorts after his tenure with the New Orleans Pelicans. Now, he’s one of the most well-respected coaches in the league and has his team in the last round. Respect.
And for the Suns, they expect to have Cam Johnson back for the opener.
ODDS
The Game 1 spread now sits at PHX -6. The over/under is 217 points.
Bucks Seeking 1-0 Lead
Giannis is a key part of the Bucks’ success. But when you take him out, you still have a great team. This was common knowledge to those around the team already. But to the outsiders, they now know what the team always did. A team is only as good as the sum of its parts. Winning is not impossible with injuries existing.
Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday were perfect in the last two games against Atlanta. Brook Lopez had a 33-point game without making a single three. PJ Tucker is as valuable as any player in the league on the defensive end of the floor. They match up nicely across the board with their opponents.
Middleton will need to be the game’s leading scorer, and they have to make the non-Booker guys beat them to secure victory.
Suns Seek Quick Start
Having been out of the Finals for so long, the Suns will hope to start fast. They are 3-0 in game 1’s in the NBA Playoffs. Milwaukee, meanwhile, has dropped their last two series openers. All that matters at the end of the day is winning four games first, though.
Chris Paul is finally here. Some thought he would never reach the NBA Finals, but he’s arrived. He is ready for it. The team deserves to be here. And with the great play of every single guy, they are favored to win it.
The keys to victory lie within the backcourt. Booker and Paul both need to stay locked in and limit turnovers. If they outplay Middleton and Holiday, it’s an easy win.
Bucks Steal Game 1
Milwaukee will go 1-0 to open the NBA Finals. Book it. Middleton will drop 35 to guide his team to the win.
FREE PLAY: MIL +6
OVER/UNDER: OVER 217
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