Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns Game 1 Betting Preview

After a long and grueling postseason, the 2021 NBA Finals are finally upon us. On Tuesday, Game 1 will get underway featuring the Eastern Conference’s Milwaukee Bucks taking on the West’s Phoenix Suns. The Suns will host this game at the Phoenix Suns Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 9:00 pm ET.

To recap how they got here, the Bucks first took down the Miami Heat in a four-game sweep. Milwaukee then went on to beat the mighty Brooklyn Nets in seven games before taking down the Atlanta Hawks four games to two in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Meanwhile, the Suns started their playoffs by taking down the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games. In the second round, they beat the Denver Nuggets in a four-game sweep before finally taking out the Los Angeles Clippers four games to two in the Western Conference Finals.

The Phoenix Suns are the favorites playing at home in Game 1. They are -270 to win while the Bucks’ moneyline sits at +220. The spread features Milwaukee +6.5 (-110), and the over/under for total points is 218.

By The Numbers

This season, both of these teams were in the top ten in scoring. The Bucks top the list averaging 118.2 points per game. The Suns rank ninth, averaging 114.1 points per game.

In terms of scoring defense, it is the Suns who hold the advantage. They rank fourth in the NBA, allowing opponents just 108.1 points per game. The Bucks rank 16th allowing 112.2 points.

Bucks May Have To Overcome Suns Shorthanded

The Suns, who were 27-9 at home during the regular season, are already a handful by themselves. Unfortunately, for Milwaukee, they may have to overcome even tougher odds as they may be playing this one without their biggest superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpmo.

Heading into Game 1, Antetokounmpo has been listed as doubtful as a result of the knee injury he suffered in the previous series. With him out, that is 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists that the Bucks are going to have to find elsewhere.

The Bucks are really going to need Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday to step up. This postseason, Middleton has averaged 23.4 points, 8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, while Holiday has averaged 17.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.4 assists.

Suns Excited For Finals As They Break Drought

The last time the Phoenix Suns were in the NBA Finals, their stars included players like Charles Barkley, Danny Ainge, Kevin Johnson, and Dan Majerle. Now that they are back in the Finals, for the first time since their 4-2 loss to the Bulls in the 1992-93 season, the Suns are looking to come out on top this time around.

This year’s team has been led by guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul. This postseason, Booker has led all Suns’ scorers averaging 27 points on 44.4% shooting. He is also averaging 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

Chris Paul has also been instrumental to the success of the Suns as he is averaging 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.4 steals.

One of the big keys for the Suns, though, is their depth. In addition to the two guards, they have gotten significant contributions from DeAndre Ayton (16.2 points, 11.8 rebounds), Mikal Bridges (10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds), Jae Crowder (10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds), Cameron Payne (10.1 points, 3.8 assists) and others.

Taking The Suns To Win And Cover

This one comes down to Giannis Antetokounmpo. If he were healthy and ready to go, this would be a whole different ball game, but the sad reality is that he isn’t.

With a hungry Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Ayton, it is hard to imagine the Bucks coming into the Phoenix Suns Arena and stealing Game 1 shorthanded. Take the Suns to not only win this one but to cover the modest 6.5-point spread as well.