Free NBA Pick: Bucks vs. Suns NBA Odds
Looking for Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Bucks taking on the Suns on Thursday, July 8th, 2021, at the Phoenix Suns Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Bucks Suns matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping NBA Finals
(0-1) Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns (1-0)
Date: Thursday, July 8th
Time: 9:00 PM EST
Venue: Phoenix Suns Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
NBA Moneyline Odds: Bucks +190 | Suns -200
NBA Betting Odds: Suns -5.5
NBA Betting Total: 220.5
Game 2 of the NBA Finals tips off on Thursday, July 8th with the Phoenix Suns once again hosting the Milwaukee Bucks. Phoenix took the opening game of the series 118-105.
Milwaukee Bucks
The big surprise in Game 1 was the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo who was back in the lineup after sustaining a hyperextended knee that caused him to miss the last two games of the conference finals.
Although Milwaukee’s superstar started a little tentative he seemed to build as the game progressed and ultimately delivered by posting 20 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.
Along with Suns big man Deandre Ayton, Antetokounmpo joined a small an elite quartet (Bill Walton, Shaq, Karl Malone, and Tim Duncan) who registered at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in their NBA Finals debut.
Khris Middleton was the top scorer for Milwaukee with 29 points (12 of 26) hitting five 3-pointers plus seven rebounds and four assists.
Jrue Holiday had the unenviable task of guarding both Booker and Paul throughout the match. Milwaukee was also hoping he would maintain the same offensive aggression he delivered in Games 5 and 6 versus the Hawks.
Unfortunately, he had a cold shooting night (4 of 14) registering 10 points adding seven rebounds, and nine assists. The Bucks big three combined for more turnovers (11) than the Suns’ team total (9).
Brook Lopez produced offensively with 17 points and six rebounds but repeatedly got exposed on defense. As my Game 1 preview predicted Bobby Portis and Bryn Forbes are going to be targeted by Phoenix on defense.
Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul may have waited 16 years to reach his first NBA Finals but the Point God made an immediate mark in his debut. The Point God scored or assisted on 54 of the Suns 118 points and as he’s wont to do was central in stopping any momentum swings.
He finished with 32 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and a steal while hitting four of his seven 3-pointers. However, his greatest impact on the game was dissecting the Bucks’ defensive mismatches on the court.
Youngsters Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Cameron Johnson may be new to the postseason but showed no signs of nerves as each scored in double-figures and delivered on their specific tasks.
Booker registered 27 points, two rebounds, six assists, and three steals but arguably his effort on the opposite end of the court was more impressive as Bucks players were 1 of 11 with him as the primary defender.
As noted, Ayton joined the elite quartet in his finals debut with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Bridges (14) and Johnson (10) helped offensively but it was their defense particularly on the Bucks Big 3 that stood out.
Not everything went the Suns’ way as Dario Saric sustained a torn ACL ending his season. That should equate to increased playing time for Torrey Craig and/or Frank Kaminsky since the Bucks have a lot of length to counter.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Suns are 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Suns are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns NBA Prediction:
Although the Bucks can be expected to make tweaks to deal with Paul and Booker capitalizing on the pick and roll that’s not all Budenholzer has to worry about. Milwaukee was averaging 50.1 points in the paint through their 17 playoff matches but collected only 42 in Game 1.
Similarly, the consistent Suns had shot 37.3% from deep and held opponents to 32.6% from the perimeter but in Game 1 they shot below average from deep (32.6%) and allowed the Bucks to shoot 44.4%. Their assists were also well short (18) of their playoff average (24.4).
With that in mind watch for more ball movement and pace by Phoenix and for Milwaukee to make drives to the paint a priority while being more aggressive on defense.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Bucks +5.5
In their 17 prior playoff games, Milwaukee only lost two in a row once (Nets series) but I still expect the Suns to win Game 2, albeit with a smaller margin than the spread.
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