NBA Finals Game 1: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns

The NBA Finals begin tonight not in a bubble, but in the desert. The Bucks travel to Phoenix seeking their first title in 50 years, while the Suns are after their first Chip ever. The Bucks are in the Finals for the first time since 1974 and the Suns are there for the first time since 1993. OK so the last time the Bucks were in the Finals I wasn't alive, and the last time the Suns were in the Finals I was in eighth grade and possibly had a mullet (I definitely had a mullet). 

Phoenix got the better of Milwaukee both times they faced off this regular season, 125-124 on 2/10 and 128-127 on 4/19. Yes point spread junkies, those are two one-point victories there. Along with Utah, the Suns are also one of only two teams that didn't lose to the Bucks this season. With a 27-9 home record and a week off since their Western Conference Semifinals win over the Clippers, Phoenix should feel pretty good coming into this game. All this and we haven't even talked about Giannis Antetekounmpo. 

The Bucks' Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable and hasn't played since suffering a hyperextended left knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Even without him, Milwaukee was able to get past Atlanta, beating the Hawks on the road Saturday 188-107 in Game 7. 

We need to give this Bucks team a lot of credit for staying alive with Antetokounmpo sidelined. But they'll arrive in Phoenix to take on a Suns team that should be refreshed, having not played since their 6/30 win over Los Angeles. The Hawks were a tough team, but Phoenix is tougher. 

Devin Booker (27 PPG in the postseason) is an offensive force that teams have struggled to figure out how to stop. DeAndre Ayton (16.1 PPG in the postseason) has emerged as the big the Suns need to have a strong inside presence. And finally, the man we all (except Bucks fans and people who don't like State Farm commercials) want to see finally win it all is here and ready for the moment. Chris Paul dropped 41 points in the Suns' 130-103 series clinching win over the Clippers. The 11-Time All-Star has struggled since missing time in that series due to COVD-19, but in an elimination game when it mattered the most, there was no struggle, only 41 points, eight assists and a shooting percentage of 66.7 from the field and 87.5 from 3. Paul will not put up those numbers every game against Milwaukee, but if anyone was worried about his output post-COVID, they shouldn't be. He's back. 

And now time for some breaking news. I stepped out to get a coffee and upon my return was greeted with the news that Giannis will in fact play tonight. Antetokounmpo (28.2 PPG/12.7 RPG in the postseason) is the heart of the Bucks offense, but let's assume he won't be at 100%. This is where Jrue Holiday (17.6 PPG/8.4 APG in the postseason) and Khris Middleton (23.4 PPG/8.4 RPG in the postseason) will have a chance to continue to shine like they did in Antetokounmpo's absence against Atlanta. 

I'm going with Phoenix tonight, but I don't think this series is a lock. All eyes will be on Giannis' knee. If he proves to be 100% in Game 1, even in a Milwaukee loss, this one could go seven games. 

Prediction: Phoenix 107-110.  



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