You could hear chants of “Suns in 6” blaring down from the rafters at the tail end of Game 2 after the Phoenix Suns took a commanding 2-0 series lead in their NBA Finals matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks at online sportsbooks. The same thing occurred in the closing moments of Game 5. However, this time around it was Milwaukee fans making themselves heard with chants of “Bucks in 6” after Giannis Antetokounmpo and company evened the series up in Game 4 by pulling out one of the most gut-wrenching comebacks – for Suns bettors – to even the series up at two games apiece. After Milwaukee went into the desert and stole a 123-119 decision from the Suns in Game 5, it’s the host Bucks that will have a chance to have their fan base come off as Nostradamus-like with it getting the first crack of closing the series out on their home hardwood in Game 6. I expect Milwaukee to seal the deal and finally put an end to these drawn out playoffs; but will they cover?
Game 6 of the best-of-seven series between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks will tip-off on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 from the Fiserv Forum. The game will be broadcast live on ABC at 9 p.m. ET. NBA playoff odds and player props will be available at BookMaker.eu for every game of the NBA Finals.
NBA Betting Lines at BookMaker.eu
Phoenix Suns +5
Milwaukee Bucks -5
O/U 222.5
Odds Analysis
Since covering the first two games of this series, the Suns have been unable to get the job done in each of the last three. They got blown out in Game 3 and then spit the bit late in Game 4. While the team had its chances to come out victorious in Game 5, it was never in a position to cover the 3.5-point spread per the closing NBA playoff betting lines following the first quarter. The end game of that one will be remembered most by Jrue Holiday’s steal which led to a Giannis ‘postering’ of Chris Paul moments later. Milwaukee closed 4.5-point favorites for both Game 3 and 4, and went on to win those matchups by an average of 13 points per game. The totals closed at 220 and 220.5 respectively and produced a push and under for total bettors. Linemakers have the Bucks installed 5-point favorites to close this series out with the total the highest of the series at 222.5.
Phoenix Suns
After building a 37-21 lead through a quarter of play, it looked like the Suns were going to waltz their way to the series lead on Saturday night. Once the game was said and done, Phoenix would end up shooting 55 percent from the field and a whopping 60 percent from beyond the arc. Those outputs result in wins more times than not. That unfortunately wasn’t the case in Game 5 after the Suns fell by a 123-119 final count. In doing so, they became the first team in NBA history to lose a playoff game shooting the way they did from the field and long range. The defeat also clocked in as the team’s first in the playoffs when holding a double-digit lead. Should Phoenix lose this game and series, it won’t be Devin Booker’s fault as he’s gone for 40+ points the last two games.
Milwaukee Bucks
What more can one say about Giannis through five games of this series?! After being listed questionable to even partake in Game 1, he’s gone on to average 32.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.2 blocks and shoot 61.2 percent from the field. No player in the history of the NBA Finals had ever averaged 30/10/5 on 60 percent shooting; until now. But the two-time MVP and likely Finals MVP - should Milwaukee win - has gotten a ton of help from his friends. In the last three games, Jrue Holiday has averaged 20 points, 10 assists and five rebounds while Khris Middleton has gone for 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Phoenix has gotten ample production from Booker, CP3 and Deandre Ayton, but it’s paled in comparison to the Bucks “Big Three” which is why Milwaukee is in a position to win a title for the first time in 50 years.
Phoenix vs. Milwaukee vs. Prediction
This series has been tough to deal with emotionally. My bankroll hasn’t flourished either after cashing in with the Suns in Game 1. I absorbed losing tickets in Games 2, 3 and excruciatingly in Game 4 when Phoenix led with 40 ticks to go but still failed to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. We did however eat into some of the deficit in Game 5 after taking the points with the Bucks and also hitting the over. Hopefully you didn’t listen to my tongue-in-cheek fade recommendation. While I expect Milwaukee to close this series out Tuesday night – God willing – I still think it goes to the wire much like each of the last two games have. Phoenix has been converting at a high clip both from the field and long range, but just hasn’t been able to see it all the way through. I expect the same type of scenario to play out in Game 6 as well, but for the Suns to actually stick within the number this time around.
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