Could this be a preview of another NBA Finals meeting between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns? Both teams have been on fire lately, which is a fitting leadup to this Finals rematch. Read on for more about this marquee showdown in the desert.
Catch this game live on Friday, February 11, at 11 AM, Manila time.
Away: Milwaukee Bucks (35-21/16-12 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Grayson Allen
- SF: Khris Middleton
- PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- C: Bobby Portis
The Bucks’ offense has been phenomenal during their ongoing win streak. They have scored at least 131 points in each of their last three games, including in their 131-116 demolition job of the Los Angeles Lakers on the road on Wednesday. That’s Milwaukee’s fourth win in a row and fifth in its last six. Over their last four games, the Bucks have dropped an average of 129.3 points on 53 FG% to go with a terrifying 42.6 3FG%. The frontcourt duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis is leading the way for Milwaukee, with both players doing plenty of damage in and out of the paint.
Against the Lakers, Antetokounmpo scored 44 points on a near-flawless 17/20 shooting to go with 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Portis came up with 23 points with five 3-pointers and seven boards. The Bucks know the formula in beating Phoenix, having done that four games in a row in last season’s NBA Finals with virtually the same lineup, with Antetokounmpo averaging 35.2 points and 13.2 rebounds in the entire series that lasted six games. Milwaukee has covered the spread in all of its past four outings.
Home: Phoenix Suns (44-10/22-5 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Jae Crowder
- C: Deandre Ayton
Whether they make this game a big deal or play it down, the Suns would definitely love to score some measure of revenge against the Bucks. It could be remembered that Phoenix won the first two games of the 2022 NBA Finals against Milwaukee before collapsing. Regardless of the result of that series, the Suns have been playing like a championship team again this season, and they are even coming into this date with Milwaukee on the heels of a blistering 14-1 run in their last 15 games.
The lone loss in that span was a 124-115 stumble on the road against the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 4 but the Suns have already rebounded nicely from that, rattling off three consecutive wins since. In their most recent game, the Suns defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in Philly last Wednesday, 114-109, with Booker going off for 35 points and Chris Paul putting up a double-double of 16 points and 12 assists. The trio of Booker, Paul, and Deandre Ayton with some help from a deep bench that averages 55.5 points per 100 possessions could move the needle in this game towards Phoenix’s favor. The Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against the Bucks.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: This is the Suns’ third outing in four days, and while they will be playing at home for this one, they are coming off a four-game road trip. Taking the Bucks to cover (+3.5) here.
Over/Under: The Bucks are not scoring over 130 points in this game, as the Suns are too good of a team to get roasted like that on defense. Things slow down for Milwaukee. Picking the Under (233.0) for this game.
