Comparing the Suns to Milwaukee and Atlanta in the NBA Finals
Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and the Phoenix Suns are on the brink of winning their first NBA championship, needing just four more victories. The team, currently the healthiest and strongest in the league, dominated the L.A. Clippers in a Game 6 victory on Wednesday night with a score of 130-103, led by Paul’s incredible 41 points.
The Suns are heading to the championship for the first time since 1993 and are considered strong favorites to win the title with odds of -210, which are much better than the Bucks’ +310 odds and the Hawks’ +550 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Even though the Suns are favored to win both games, Arizona sports bettors understand that each match presents unique challenges that come with striving for a championship.
Sports betting in Arizona will officially begin on September 9, aligning with the kickoff of the NFL’s 2021 season featuring a matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Additionally, the Arizona Cardinals will start their season against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville on September 12.
Bucks are a strong team, whether or not Giannis is playing.
Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a knee injury during the Bucks’ Game 4 loss to the Hawks. While no structural damage was found, his availability for the rest of the playoffs is up in the air.
If Antetokounmpo is unable to play, Milwaukee will depend heavily on Khris Middleton, a fellow All-Star who has been averaging 22.7 points and 7.9 rebounds in the playoffs.
Coach Mike Budenholzer may have to lean on Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez for increased responsibilities, while also looking for better contributions from his lackluster bench in the playoffs.
The Suns defeated the Bucks in both regular season matchups, with Antetokounmpo scoring 47 and 33 points in each game. Milwaukee’s strategy involves assigning Holiday to guard Paul, Middleton on Booker, and Lopez on Ayton in an effort to win those individual battles and force Phoenix’s supporting cast to step up and secure the win.
Betting on the Bucks in the NBA may present a tough decision if Antetokounmpo is not in the lineup.
The Hawks appear to be a team destined for greatness.
The Hawks, originally seen as having a 50/50 chance to make it past the first round against the Knicks, shocked everyone by winning in five games. Despite being predicted to lose to the top-seeded Sixers, they ultimately triumphed in six games.
They have shown impressive performances against the Bucks so far and have evolved from an intriguing postseason story to a strong contender for the championship.
Trae Young’s bone bruise in his right ankle shouldn’t keep him out for long. He is expected to be back in time for the Finals starting on July 8, assuming the Atlanta Hawks make it. This is a huge relief for the team, as they have a much stronger offense when Young is playing, with a 12.5 point per 100 possessions increase.
In order to defeat the Hawks, the Suns must concentrate on limiting Young’s offensive effectiveness and taking advantage of opportunities to exploit his defensive weaknesses.
Atlanta’s success has been greatly supported by John Collins and Clint Capela, causing Phoenix to contemplate whether to switch to a larger lineup or continue with their effective small-ball strategy.
Bet on Atlanta as the team most likely to stray from their usual strategy and be the first to make a move.
The Suns should feel positive regardless of the outcome.
The Suns are the team to beat because they are at full health, have homecourt advantage, and enjoy a significant rest advantage.
These factors are crucial at this point in the season, giving the Suns an advantage in almost every area, whether they are up against a Giannis-less Bucks team or a surprisingly strong Hawks team.
Author
Foster Nylah, a veteran sports journalist who has spent almost ten years covering the Chicago Bulls and the NBA for NBC Sports Chicago, is now focusing on writing about the NBA and sports betting for yengols.com. He has had his work published on various platforms including ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, The Chicago Tribune, Yahoo Sports, and NBC Sports.
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