8:10 pm
July 11

Suns @ Bucks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Phoenix Suns (51-21)

@ Milwaukee Bucks (46-26)

 

Current odds:

Phoenix Suns: (+170)

Milwaukee Bucks: (-190)

 

• The spread for the game is Milwaukee by 4.5 points.

• Down 2-0 in the NBA Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks see no other path to victory in Game 3 on Sunday night other than coming out swinging. Behind Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns took the opening games in Phoenix. Now, the Bucks are set up to even the series with Game 3 and Wednesday night’s Game 4 in Milwaukee.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo put concerns about his hyperextended left knee in the rearview mirror by totaling 62 points in the first games, including 42 in the Bucks’ 118-108 loss in Game 2 on Thursday. But the Suns found more ways to score, including a timely performance from forward Mikal Bridges. Milwaukee was down 2-0 to the Brooklyn Nets when the Bucks came home and found good fortune — and better defensive play — to eventually fight all the way back and win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

• The Suns shot 50 percent from 3-point range in Game 2, draining contested attempts and eschewing the strategy many expected — feeding big man DeAndre Ayton when the Bucks played a small-ball lineup. Head coach Mike Budenholzer said after each of the first two games the Bucks have to be better defending the 3-point line.

• While Milwaukee lost Game 1, the Bucks focused on scoring in the paint and attacking the rim. The Suns expect to see more of that approach on Sunday. But head coach Monty Williams said Phoenix is in the preferred position of not needing to change anything, including playing through Booker. When Game 2 tightened in the fourth quarter, Booker pushed a six-point lead to nine with a 3, and splashed back-to-back 3s to boost a seven-point lead to 13.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Milwaukee Bucks
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