The 2021 NBA Finals matchup has been set, and it’s an unlikely one. The Suns, representing the Western Conference, haven’t played in the Finals since 1993 and have never won a championship. The Bucks, out of the East, last played in the Finals in 1974 and won their only title in 1971.
Entering this season, the Suns hadn’t finished above .500 since 2013/14 and hadn’t made the postseason since 2010, so their year should already be considered a major success. Expectations were higher for the Bucks, who had the NBA’s best record for two consecutive years entering 2020/21 and were just two wins away from the Finals in 2019.
However, that doesn’t mean that Milwaukee will enter the Finals as the favorite. According to sports betting site BetOnline.ag, the Suns are currently the -190 favorites, meaning you’d have to risk $190 on a Phoenix win in order to make a $100 profit.
The health of Giannis Antetokounmpo is a major factor in that line. The two-time Most Valuable Player missed the last two games of the Eastern Conference Finals – both Bucks wins – after hyperextending his knee in Game 4.
A report last week suggested that Antetokounmpo might get the green light to play in Game 7 vs. Atlanta if it had been necessary, which is a sign that he could be good to go for Game 1 of the Finals. However, since they’re no longer facing a win-or-go-home scenario, the Bucks may feel less pressure to bring Giannis back for the first game of what could be a long series if he’s still not feeling fully healthy.
Whether or not Antetokounmpo is available for Game 1, this should be a compelling and entertaining showdown.
In his preview of the Finals, John Hollinger of The Athletic suggests that one of the most intriguing subplots will be how the Bucks choose to defend Suns guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Jrue Holiday can only guard one of the two, and their ability to knock down jump shots will make it difficult for Milwaukee to lean on its preferred drop coverage.
Phoenix may also be able to take advantage of the Bucks’ lack of depth, Hollinger notes, especially if Antetokounmpo remains sidelined along with Donte DiVincenzo.
However, if and when Antetokounmpo is ready to go, he’ll present a matchup challenge for the Suns, who may need to rely on some combination of Jae Crowder, Cameron Johnson, and Deandre Ayton against the star forward, with Mikal Bridges handling the Khris Middleton assignment, writes Hollinger.
Hollinger is picking the Suns in seven, with Antetokounmpo’s injury and Phoenix’s home-court advantage helping to tip the scales. But we want to know what you think.
Which team do you expect to win the 2021 NBA Finals? How many games will it take? What will be the deciding factors? Who will be named MVP?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!
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I think the Suns are a better team. The team with the best player usually wins, and that’s Milwaukee, but their offense hasn’t been great in the playoffs except the last couple games of the Hawks series. Phoenix isn’t a defensive stalwart, but they play good team defense and their offense has been really consistent in the playoffs. I think it’ll be a good series that goes 6 maybe 7 if Giannis is healthy, with the Suns winning. If Giannis isn’t healthy it might be a sweep.
Great post, spot-on and I’m hoping it’s a good series. Only thing is Phoenix could possibly run away with this thing so I’m hoping Milwaukee shows up. Lots of good matchups like Brook Lopez and Deandre ayton and Jrue Holiday and as Luke says in the article, whoever he guards. I’m looking forward to this as a basketball fan. Yay sports.
Honestly, who really cares except those in Wisconsin and Arizona?
It’s better than having the LA teams for once.
So it’s better to have the cavs vs the warriors 4 straight years?
A lot of people are interested. You have a former MVP in giannis and a top 10 point guard all time in CO, both in their first finals ever.
Which championship team is better than Suns and Bucks last 20 years?
Warriors, Spurs and Heat are better
How about 2000-2002 Lakers？
Suns have proven they are better than LeBron and Davis Lakers
Are the Suns better than 2019 Raptors？
Injured, they are better.
Not so much better than the 2019 Raptors, more like lucky as the 2019 Raptors.
Everyone knows why Toronto won the Finals two years ago, and if Phoenix beats the Bucks it will be exactly the same. Because Giannis got hurt just like Klay and KD did.
I am going to laugh oh so hard if the Greek Freak plays and Phoenix still wins. But I’m sure you’ll find a way to trash CP3 anyways.
Rockets 2018 are better than Bucks and Suns this year?
Harden plays for the best team now
Final 3 are
Capela, Tucker and Paul
Fans of basketball in general do. Lots of great young and older players are getting their first chance at a ring. It’s not a retread of the past 15 years and only having the same 6-8 teams in it every year.
Well, those of us in Wisconsin and Arizona don’t care if anyone else cares, so I guess it all works out.
People who actually like the sport care. Go back to the baseball site if you don’t.
The rating will show otherwise and I’ve been watching basketball much longer than you’ve trolled this earth.
He’s just jealous because the Bucks won the east instead of the Sixers.
F the ratings, F NY, F LA, F Silver’s accountant.
How about the sport, oh did you forget about that
LA teams? Clippers?? They never have got to the nba finals. Suns have to be thankful that they got injured AD; Lebron and Kawhi
Injuries to players change the team, but you play with the hand you are dealt. Championships are won through competition not on paper.
Suns will win in 5 GARANTEE
You might be right. Suns are looking pretty darn good.
I don’t trust any type of ‘garantee’.
I’ve made several guarantees and about 30% of them come true so I love them.
I would “garantee” that is not the case, but why bother, I’m not going to pay anybody if not. You will never say why PHX.
Finals are all ’bout Giannis… if he is healthy MIL will win, if he can’t be his usual healthy, just playin’ limited, then PHO will win, as simple as!
All ’bout Giannis!
Mon, what a run for PHO this year, right?
R1 AD & LBJ injured
R2 Murray injured
WCF Kawhi injured
Finals Giannis is a big ???
I mean you must win if all the stars you play against are injured, right?
As I said if Giannis is at 100% MIL wins, if he ain’t PHO will win (by injuries, again)!!!
It isn’t like he has a dominant history against the Suns since they have had Ayton. In those 5 games PHX is 4-1. Giannis is a combined +1 over the 5 games (+7 L, -3 L, +3 W, -3 L, -3 L). Still I think without Giannis it will be PHX in 5. With him it will be PHX in 6 or 7.
The disrespect towards Phoenix has been really unfair. CP3 was damn near useless due to a shoulder injury for 3 games in the Lakers series. Healthy team swept the Nuggets in 4 games that weren’t even close. Then they won 2 games without CP3 in the WCF against the Clippers. The Suns were the #2 seed for a reason – they had a great season and were a great team. If you have watched the Suns this year – the balance, the shooting, the defense – it’s not surprising at all that they’d make the NBA Finals. Everyone has dealt with injuries, but the Suns built a roster that was not dependent on one or two players. That’s why they’re where they are, and that’s why it’s going to be Suns in 6.
What disrespect?— The Suns are favored.
MIL was missing something even before GA got hurt. In some ways, I think it helped them focus, which is sad because they can’t be their best without him and focus. I’ve been picking MIL, but with less and less enthusiasm each round. Can’t get off here.
Ayton, Booker, CP3, Crowder are not losing. Bucks just don’t have that killer in them. And Giannis is a prime example of that. I wouldn’t play him for two gms. Best player in NBA has to learn to close out teams. I thought Holiday would help him do that. Bucks coach is atrocious. I just can’t watch him. I’m pulling for Chris. Simple as that.
Al has been hating on MIL all playoffs. How about that that killer instinct. Maybe they’re better than you can comprehend.
Predict the Bucks start well without Giannis but PHX will recover… MIL in 7.
With PHX favored almost 2 to 1, MIL seems a good bet… but gambling makes me dumber than just snarking.