Few predicted we’d see the Phoenix Suns in the Finals versus the Milwaukee Bucks, so we’re in new territory in predicting the Finals result. Most sportsbooks have Phoenix favored, but the lines and odds fluctuate depending on the reports on the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The latest reports have Giannis playing in Game 1, so now the spread is tightening a bit for this first game.
Aside from this health issue, much will depend on Chris Paul. He has a history for getting hurt at the worst time, so anything can happen in this series.
It’s frankly one of the more interesting matchups in years given all the uncertainty, so enjoy the show and we’ll see who pulls it out.
After squeaking by the depleted New jersey Nets, the Bucks seem to have a much clearer path to an NBA title. Many believe that Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best all-around player left in the NBA playoffs, and that the Bucks should roll through the Hawks. The odds are heavily in the Bucks’ favor.
Of course, some TV personalities will go with the Hawks just for entertainment purposes, and of course they can pull an upset. Anything is possible. But the smart money seems to be with the heavily favored Bucks.
Here’s a tweet from a respected sports better:
Pretty shocked to see so many experts on tv and radio take Atlanta to win this series. No real rhyme or reason just a lot of hunches. I think the Bucks steamroll in this series starting tonight. As I asked a few days ago who in the world is trying to guard Giannis on ATL?
That’s the question . . . can anyone on the Hawks guard Giannis? This is his chance to take control of the playoffs and grab a title in a year when the other NBA icons have been eliminated.
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Kevin Durant and the Nets were down 2 to the Bucks in game 7 with the clock winding down, and Kevin Duran had the ball in his hands. Durant launches a spectacular jumper . . . for the win? No, his foot was on the line. It could have been a career-defining shot, but his feet were on the line. The shot tied the game as opposed to winning it.
Fast forward to overtime, and Durant had another chance. But he was exhausted by then, and that three-pointer caught nothing but air. An air ball to end the game.
It was a great series, and you have to give Giannis Antetokounmpo credit, but it seems pretty clear that a Healthy Nets team would have won this series. Kyrie Irving was dominating the Bucks before getting hurt, and James Harden did his best to pay on an injured hamstring, but he just wasn’t himself in this series.
The Bucks clearly had some good fortune on their side, though this gritty performance to somehow pull out this series has left them in a good position. The Bucks are now favored to win it all, as there certainly isn’t an elite team standing in their way. But it’s certainly not a lock. The Bucks are good, but not great.
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Kevin Durant had one of those career-defining nights last night in Game 5 of the Nets series against the Milwaukee Buck, dropping 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the depeleted Nets to victory. Kyrie Irving was out and James Harden clearly wasn’t himself with his hamstring issues. Jeff Green helped pick up the slack, hitting 7 of 8 threes, so Durant definitely had some help.
But it was clear in the second half that Durant was taking over the game, and the Bucks didn’t have an answer. Durant is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history and he hit some monster shots in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo again failed to close out a critical playoff game. He missed a late free throw (not a surprise) and fumbled a short pass under the basket late in the game when he could have tied the game. He was clearly rushing as he didn’t want to get fouled, and that’s the key flaw in Giannis’s game.
