2021 NBA Finals: Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks Predictions, Preview, Head to Head, Injury Report, Line ups and Starting 5s – July 8th, 2021
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Devin Booker and Giannis Antetokounmpo
As the Game 2 of NBA finals knocks the door, here is a brief on Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks predictions. After a thrilling Game 1 where Phoenix secured its first NBA Finals victory since 1993 on the shoulders of Chris Paul, the Bucks and Suns face off just two days later in Game 2. The Suns won and covered in convincing fashion in a 118-107 victory on Tuesday night. They limited their turnovers and were lethal from the charity stripe, sinking 25 of 26 free throws. This is a performance Phoenix will look to build on Thursday night, but we can expect a stronger performance from the Bucks on the road.
The Milwaukee Bucks fall sort in Game 1. Despite strong performance from the Milwaukee Bucks, they could not meet ends. One of the big takeaways from Game 1 was the coverage that coach Mike Budenholzer deployed. For the past few years, we have ripped on Budenholzer for not making enough adjustments and relying solely on drop coverage.
Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks Preview
Besides Jae Crowder drawing a blank from the field, everything went according to plan for the Phoenix Suns in Game 1. They went into the matchup hoping to torch the Milwaukee Bucks from mid-range and did exactly that. First, it was Devin Booker who got to his spot with ease and then Chris Paul joined the party.
The Milwaukee Bucks were buoyed by the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the early portions of Game 1. Giannis’ movement seemed fine and he was able to command the paint. The main reason the Bucks ended up losing, though, was their inability to defend the Phoenix Suns’ mid-range game. Brook Lopez had a hard time dealing with the likes of Chris Paul and Devin Booker on switches, and he wasn’t too impactful in drop coverage either. Jrue Holiday also found it tough to go under screens and had limited impact defensively.
Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks Head to Head
2018-19 – Suns 2-0 Bucks
2019-20 – Suns 1-1 Bucks
2020-21 – Suns 2-0 Bucks
Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report
The Phoenix Suns are currently injury less. However, they are facing issues with Chris Paul. He is having injury issues after their last game. His ligament injury is getting the Monty Williams and team worried.
Giannis Antetokounmpo making back to squad was a great thing for the team. There’s little reason for the Milwaukee Bucks to risk playing him tonight, so you can expect him to sit this one out.
Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks Line ups and Starting 5s
The Phoenix Suns will start probably unchanged. Their starters will include Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Their go to rotations will be Torrey Craig, Cameron Payne, Dario Saric, Jevon Carter and Jalen Smith.
Milwaukee Bucks will start with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and PJ Tucker. They will look to substitution options with Pat Connaughton, Jeff Teague, Bryne Forbes and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks Predictions
The Phoenix Suns struggled from beyond the arc in Game 1 and if the Bucks are able to take away their mid-range scoring, Monty Williams’ men could be in trouble. Game 2 promises to be another exhilarating affair, but the Bucks should prevail this time to level the 2021 NBA Finals.
The Milwaukee Bucks gave up several mid-range shots for the majority of Game 1 and paid the price for it. But they made the needed adjustments late on in the fourth quarter with Giannis Antetokounmpo playing at center. Expect Mike Budenholzer’s men to retaliate in a similar manner on Thursday.
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Sumeet Singh
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