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Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns moved within three wins of an NBA Championship after racing out to a Game 1 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the underdog Bucks will look to even the series in Game 2 before sending things back to Milwaukee.
Let’s take a look at our 3 best bets for Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Bucks and Suns.
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GET BONUS!Paul scored or assisted on 54 points in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night, the third highest such tally in a player’s Finals debut in NBA history (Allen Iverson had 61 and Michael Jordan had 60). His efforts helped lead the Phoenix Suns to a 118-105 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1, despite the return of the Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo entered Tuesday listed as doubtful for Game 1, but was upgraded to a gametime decision with his hyperextended knee. Not only was he able to play, but Antetokounmpo logged 35 minutes, 20 points, and 17 rebounds in the loss, providing Milwaukee fans with optimism regarding their team’s chances in this series, despite an early hole.
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3 Best Bets for Bucks vs. Suns (NBA Finals Game 2)
Jrue Holiday Over 24.5 Total Points & Rebounds (FanDuel Sportsbook +100)
It was tempting to just pick Holiday to top his points prop of 19.5, as we expect a bigger scoring contribution from him tonight, but he’s done enough on the glass to view this prop choice as an easier win than the points alone might prove.
After all, Holiday has snagged five or more rebounds, the difference between the two prop selections, in four straight games and 10 of his 18 games here in the postseason. His points per game have dipped a half-point in the playoffs from the regular season, but his rebounds are up 1.2 per game and his minutes have jumped from 32.3 to 38.9 per game.
Holiday has been a better scorer and rebounder on the road all season long, averaging a combined 23.9 on the road during the regular season, compared to 20.4 per game at home. Despite struggling to score in Game 1, it’s comforting to know that Holiday put up 25 points and four rebounds in his one regular season game against the Suns.
The Milwaukee point guard has totaled 24+ combined points and rebounds in each of the team’s last three games following a loss, averaging 28 per game.
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CLAIM OFFERJae Crowder Over 2.5 Made Threes (DraftKings Sportsbook +102)
For being the only player on either team with prior NBA Finals experience, Jae Crowder sure didn’t play the part in Game 1.
The Phoenix wing went 0-8 from the field, scoring just one point in 33 minutes. However, those backing this prop should be encouraged that Crowder still got off five long range attempts in that poor first game. He averaged 6.3 attempts per game from deep during the regular season and 6.4 per game in the playoffs.
He’s made 2.2 threes per game since the start of the postseason and made the required 2.5 per game during the regular season. He is also playing the league’s second worst three-point field goal percentage defense in the Bucks, who allowed opponents to shoot 38.4% from beyond the arc the regular season.
As such, we should expect the Suns to improve upon their 32.4% effort from deep in Game 1, as they were the NBA’s seventh-best team from three (37.8%), with Crowder shooting 43.3% this season at home. Crowder has made 3+ threes in seven of his last eight games after failing to make a triple in his prior outing, including each of his last two opportunities here in the playoffs.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 0.5 Made Threes (FanDuel Sportsbook -164)
Antetokounmpo made a semi-miraculous return for Game 1, logging 35 minutes and pulling down 17 rebounds. Adrenaline surely carried him through much of that effort, but playing tonight just 48 hours after his first true test of that hyperextended knee could play out a bit differently from a physical standpoint.
We could see the Milwaukee star settle for a few more jumpers than usual, either actively or subconsciously minimizing the amount of stress he is putting on the knee.
With Antetokounmpo having earned 12 free throws in Game 1 and looking the part of a healthy player, Phoenix may also elect to give him a couple extra feet of space early on in tonight’s game, further encouraging him to take a few attempts from deep.
Antetokounmpo has made at least one shot from deep in half of his postseason games and 44 of 61 regular season games (72.1%). He made more triples per game in Milwaukee’s wins than their losses and shot significantly better from long range on the road than at home this season.
And for those who love the seemingly irrelevant, Antetokounmpo’s best 3-point shooting percentage day of the week this season was Thursday (42.1%).
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A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
