NBA betting tips: Hot Suns favourites for first Finals title
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NBA betting tips
Phoenix Suns have been shortened from 31/20 to 8/15 to clinch their first title after booking their place in the Finals.
They will take on Eastern Conference champions Milwaukee Bucks, with game one taking place in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the Phoenix Suns Arena.
We look at both teams’ hopes of claiming the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy later this month in our NBA betting tips.
Phoenix Suns
Monty Williams guided Phoenix to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993 and the Suns fans are starting to believe their team can lift a maiden crown.
Veteran star Chris Paul, who has been in the NBA for 16 years, is also making his first start in the post-season finale after 1,213 career games, and he could be the spark for the Suns to get hot.
Devin Booker has been playing at a different level in the play-offs as the Suns continued their momentum from the regular season during which he recorded his first career triple-double and is usually the team’s top-scorer.
Jae Crowder of the @Suns is the only player in this year's NBA Finals to have played in the Finals previously.
He was a member of last season's Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat.
Game 1: Tuesday, 9 PM ET, ABC pic.twitter.com/cIWWPinC92
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) July 5, 2021
Big man Deandre Ayton has been consistent at both ends of the court, registering double figures in rebounds and points while Mikal Bridges has also produced big performances in recent games.
Home support could be the deciding factor between two great teams, and the Suns have enjoyed six victories from their eight post-season matches at the Phoenix Suns Arena.
The series begins in Arizona and they will have the advantage of playing in front of a raucous crowd in a potential game seven, which could sway the contest in their favour.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee were seen as one of the favourites for the title throughout the play-offs but have seen their price drift due to a knee injury sustained by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The 26-year-old Greek hyper-extended his left knee in game four of the Eastern Conference final and has been sidelined since, with his availability for the opening match against Phoenix rated as questionable.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer believes Antetokounmpo will return sooner rather than later and may be risked in order to land their second NBA title in franchise history, 50 years on from their maiden success.
Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, – filling in for Antetokounmpo in the power forward position – Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez stepped up against Atlanta to prevail without their star man.
Antetokounmpo has been averaging 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the NBA play-offs, but Middleton has shouldered more responsibility with 23.4 points and 8.0 boards in the post-season.
The Bucks will need to get off to a fast start, with potentially only three home games in comparison to Phoenix’s four if it goes the distance and will need to win at least once on the road to boost their chances of a second NBA title, which is priced at 6/4.
NBA Info
How to watch: Sky Sports
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
