The second game of the 2021 NBA Finals sees the Bucks in an 0-1 against the 8-0 bubble Suns. Can the Bucks take homecourt advantage, or do the Suns travel to Milwaukee up 2-0? Let’s have a look at the 2021 finals game 2 betting picks.
The 2021 NBA Finals got out to an exciting start – with Giannis Antetokounmpo returning to the lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Phoenix Suns. Even with Giannis healthy (or at least healthier than expected), the Suns and Chris Paul caught fire en route to a Game 1 victory. Can they keep it up in Game 2, or will the Bucks even the series? Read our NBA Finals Game 2 picks below.
Who Will Win Game 2 of the NBA Finals
The Bucks open as 5.5-point underdogs in Game 2 against the Suns after falling in Game 1 118-105. The Suns controlled most of the game, limiting the Bucks every time they went on a run. The Bucks likely would have lost Game 1 by for if not for a combined 1-13 night from three from Devin Booker and Jae Crowder.
The Bucks need to make some adjustments for Game 2 – but until they are willing to play Giannis at least 40 minutes (which is more likely for Game 3 on Sunday with an extra day of rest), it will be hard for them to win on the road.
They should ramp up the defensive intensity in Game 2 and get another excellent outing from Middleton to keep it close. However, expect the Bucks to fall to 0-2 with a Game 3 date with the Suns in Milwaukee on Sunday night.
Game 2 Over/Under Betting Pick
The Bucks allowed their second-highest points total of the NBA Playoffs in Game 1 – only trailing 125 points allowed in a shellacking by the Brooklyn Net in Round 2. The 118 points allowed is 13.5 points higher than the average they have allowed this postseason. The Bucks rank third in opponent’s field goal percentage this postseason.
The Phoenix Suns have played the best defence of any team in the NBA Playoffs. They allow a playoff low of 102.1 points per game and limit teams to only 43.1% shooting. Both teams in Game 1 allowed opponents to shot better from the field than their playoff average.
Both teams had the over hit in their previous three games, with the under hitting in the three games before. The over/under in Game 1 was 219.5.
For Game 2, we are betting on the under. The Bucks and Sun both average 109 points scoring this postseason. The Bucks have scored higher than their playoffs average in six of their last eight games. The Suns’ offence has a wide variance of scoring in the playoffs – between a playoff-low of 84 and a playoff-high of 130.
Half Time / Full Team
| Half Time/Full Time |
|---|
| Bucks – Bucks |
| Bucks – Suns |
| Suns – Bucks |
| Suns – Suns |
| Tie – Bucks |
| Tie – Suns |
Bucks leading at the half with the Suns winning the game is our pick here. The Bucks showed more life in the fourth quarter on offence than they did for most of the game. They could take that into Phoenix for Game 2 and build up a slight lead by half-time. However, the Suns, with better perimeter shooting than the Bucks, are who close it out and win the game.
Just a reminder, Ayton was also a dominant force in the Suns Game 1 win.
NBA Specials on Game 2 of the Finals
Jae Crowder, Khris Middleton, and Devin Booker All 2+ Threes Made
| Crowder | Middleton | Booker 2+ Threes Made |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 2.10 |
Game 1 shooting from three notwithstanding, Devin Booker has been one of the best players this postseason. Booker’s made at least two three-pointers in eight of his 17 playoff games. He has also not shot 12.5% or worse from three in a game the next game.
Crowder’s off night was an outliner. He has been productive from three-point range all playoffs, with at least three made in a game nine times.
Middleton is has been on fire lately – driving the offence for the Bucks, even with Giannis back in Game 1. He has hit at least two three-pointers in 15 of 18 games these playoffs.
Chris Paul 10+ Assists and Brook Lopez 2+ Blocks
| Paul 10+ Assists | Lopez 2+ Blocks |
|---|---|
| Yes | 5.00 |
The basketball betting odds are alluring on this NBA special as these two guys can put up these types of numbers on any given night. Lopez has seven games in the playoffs with at least two blocks – including one game with six blocks (the second most of any player this postseason).
During the regular season, Chris Paul put up 10+ assists in 29 of 70 games (41.4% of games played). For the playoffs, the percentage is lower at 26.7%. However, the rate jumps to 40% if you toss out the first five games of the postseason.
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