NBA Finals: (2) Suns vs (3) Bucks, Part 1 | Suns lead 2-0

[KIRAG]

I wouldn't be that surprised if Cam Payne goes nuclear. Bryn Forbes aint guarding him.

[Bobbymcgee]

Bucks got this.

[Bruin]

Kinda want Aaron Rodgers to get an NBA ring as an owner lol

[ahmetmekin]

Most probable outcome: Suns in 6.
Second most probable outcome: Suns in 5.
Suns in 5 1/2.

[NyKnicks1714]

Suns went through the Lakers, which had the #1 defensive rating in the entire NBA. Clippers were also a very good defensive team.

Its not like the Bucks are throwing the Suns anything they haven't seen lol.

The Lakers without Anthony Davis and the Clippers without Kawhi*

Just make sure to include that when you discuss Phoenix’s wins.

The Lakers were without Anthony Davis for 2 months in the regular season and still ended up as the #1 team in defensive efficiency.

You wanna keep going?

I get that it's annoying that people want to invalidate Phoenix's run, but there's a middle ground between that and thinking they got no help whatsoever from opponent injuries. It was a big factor. Ditto Milwaukee.

[Hitachi77]

Lakers had a healthy AD for 3.5 games. Suns had a healthy CP3 for 3.5 games. Sounds pretty even to me.

[Hitachi77]

Game 1: CP3 gets hurt, Suns win anyway
Game 2: CP3 hurt, AD healthy, Suns still managed to have a lead late
Game 3: CP3 hurt, AD healthy
Game 4: AD gets hurt, Suns had a lead when he got hurt in the 3rd
Game 5: Suns win by a million
Game 6: Suns win by a million

Clippers almost lost to a 1 player Mavs team with Kawhi. Clippers were 2-2 against Utah with Kawhi. Kawhi gets hurt, allowing other players to get those minutes and shine, showing their depth. Mann wouldn't go for 39 with Kawhi playing, and teams weren't expecting that (and weren't gameplanning around Mann or some of their other players).

You can frame it however you want, but nothing is clear cut. I can cite key injuries every single season. How about KG missing the playoffs in '09? Otherwise the Lakers likely have a road series against Boston again.

[JShuttlesworth]

If Giannis gets a ring, he'll have quite the resume at 26 years old. Hopefully his knee feels okay

I don't really know how this series is going to play out, just looking forward to watching some basketball. I don't dislike either of the Suns / Bucks, so I'm happy with whatever the outcome is

[DCasey91]

Suns
Starters:
Chris Paul
Devin Booker
Mikal Bridges
Jae Crowder
Deandre Ayton

Bench:
Cam Johnson
Cam Payne
Torrey Craig
Dario Saric
(Etwuan Moore)


Bucks
Starters:
Jrue Holiday
Khris Middleton
PJ Tucker
Bobby Portis
Brook Lopez

Bench:
Pat Connaughton
Jeff Teague
Bryn Forbes

It’s pretty obvious the Suns have the better team.

It feels like you're missing someone for the Bucks team.

Yes...if he can't come back the Suns are clearly better. If Giannis plays its very close. If DDV were playing I would say 50/50.

I believe Giannis is a non factor in this series.

Seen it in all sports can’t bring in any player not even close to fully fit. It usually works out worse then doing anything good.

It’s pretty exhaustive in Basketball too.

[RRyder823]

I'd be a lot more nervous if the Suns cakewalked against teams playing without their superstars. But they didn't.

I'd be a lot more nervous if the Bucks cakewalked against teams playing without their superstars. But they didn't.

Both of your statements can be true

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[Galloisdaman]

I'd be surprised if Giannis is a factor (if he plays). If the Bucks were healthy I would definitely favor the Bucks. Without Giannis I still lean towards the Bucks but it is a much harder call to make when you are missing a near unstoppable force inside.

[jredsaz]

Suns
Starters:
Chris Paul
Devin Booker
Mikal Bridges
Jae Crowder
Deandre Ayton

Bench:
Cam Johnson
Cam Payne
Torrey Craig
Dario Saric
(Etwuan Moore)


Bucks
Starters:
Jrue Holiday
Khris Middleton
PJ Tucker
Bobby Portis
Brook Lopez

Bench:
Pat Connaughton
Jeff Teague
Bryn Forbes

It’s pretty obvious the Suns have the better team.

How in the world did you reach that conclusion? (I guess leaving out a 2x MVP is the answer)

Basic basketball comprehension.

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[DCasey91]

Suns
Starters:
Chris Paul
Devin Booker
Mikal Bridges
Jae Crowder
Deandre Ayton

Bench:
Cam Johnson
Cam Payne
Torrey Craig
Dario Saric
(Etwuan Moore)


Bucks
Starters:
Jrue Holiday
Khris Middleton
PJ Tucker
Bobby Portis
Brook Lopez

Bench:
Pat Connaughton
Jeff Teague
Bryn Forbes

It’s pretty obvious the Suns have the better team.

How in the world did you reach that conclusion? (I guess leaving out a 2x MVP is the answer)

Basic basketball comprehension.

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Wait you believe Giannis is going to do anything in the finals? LOL.

He’s cooked same with Kawhi. It’s just foxing now.

Ayton might actually win the Finals MVP he’s set for a monster of a series. Legit I don’t think anyone is aware of the quality of defense the Bucks has faced so far lol.

I’m guessing 16.5/13.5/1.5/1 on godly FG%... basically par for the course this whole playoffs.

He is going to get fed like no one’s business.

[phx#7]

Kinda want Aaron Rodgers to get an NBA ring as an owner lol

He already has a Super Bowl ring, let Larry Fitzgerald get this one!

[carrrnuttt]

I'd be a lot more nervous if the Suns cakewalked against teams playing without their superstars. But they didn't.

Uhh. They did.

They blew the Lakers out in their last two games without AD and beat them game 1 with AD healthy and CP not.

They swept the Nuggets with the MVP still playing but I guess the MVP should be Murray, since everyone claims that they would have beat the Suns with him.

The Clippers are deep and resilient and CP3 was injured and rusty as **** and was actually a detriment when he finally joined the team.

When CP3 finally adjusted his shooting to his injured hand, the Clippers got blown TF out in a game where they were desperate and HAD to win.

[LFAHFN22]

I think far too many people are overplaying Giannis being hurt, and the doubts regarding his health are leaning towards being far fetched.

Mike Evans (Buccaneers) had a similarly brutal hyperextension in the last game of the season (last season) and was available for Wildcard Weekend six days later. He had six receptions for 119 yards.

I think Giannis will be absolutely fine.

[NeoWarriors]

I love all these pre-finals slap fights.

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[Bruin]

Kinda want Aaron Rodgers to get an NBA ring as an owner lol

He already has a Super Bowl ring, let Larry Fitzgerald get this one!

lol as a Cal fan I care more about Rodgers than Larry. Would be just as cool to see it with Larry too though

[Slim Charless]

Are we sure Ayton is better than Lopez?

Because if we’re being honest, if Giannis plays at anywhere near 100%, the Bucks should take this.

The Bucks have dealt with a dominant iso scorer in Durant & a great PnR guard in Young throughout their run. Devin Booker & CP3 aren’t going to scare them.

Depth won’t matter much but is the Suns bench really all that good? Portis is better than everybody on either bench.

Cam Johnson is a really good shooter but the Bucks have locked up those type of guys all playoffs. Robinson, Harris & Bogdanovic all struggled mightily against them.

I just think if both teams are fully healthy & the Bucks don’t play stupidly, it’s their series to lose.

...and lose they will. If Giannis isn't 100% then the Bucks go down in 5.

If he's healthy, closer series but still Phoenix is a more complete and deeper team. Suns win either way.

[raptor jesus]

I think the Bucks are the better team in a vacuum, but I also think the Suns were the worst possible matchup for them coming out of the West. Hard to call.

To win the series:
Bucks: +160
Suns: -180