The 2021 NBA Finals are set. The teams are the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s been a while since either of these teams were in the Finals. The Suns were last here in 1993; the Bucks in 1974. First, let’s look at the schedule.
Game 1: in Phoenix, 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday
Game 2: in Phoenix, 9 p.m. ET on Thursday
Game 3: in Milwaukee, 8 p.m. ET on Sunday
Game 4: in Milwaukee, 9 p.m. ET on July 14
*Game 5: in Phoenix, 9 p.m. ET on July 17
*Game 6: in Milwaukee, 9 p.m. ET on July 20
*Game 7: in Phoenix, 9 p.m. on July 22
*if necessary
Phoenix beat the Los Angeles Lakers in round 1, the Denver Nuggets in round 2, and the Los Angeles Clippers in the conference finals. All 3 of those teams were missing a star player. The Suns have dealt with their own issues including injuries and Chris Paul’s positive COVID-19 test, but they can work together. DeAndre Ayton has largely avoided foul trouble, Devin Booker is a great 3-point shooter, and Paul scored 41 points in the Western Conference Finals. They weren’t even favored to make it out of the first round, and here they are.
The Bucks weren’t favored to win their first-round series either. But they got their revenge on the Miami Heat. And just like the Suns, they benefited from injuries to James Harden and Kyrie Irving to take down the Brooklyn Nets and were able to avoid the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference finals due to a knee injury by Joel Embiid and an atrocious offensive performance by Ben Simmons. They instead got to face the No. 5 seed, the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks lost star Trae Young to an ankle injury in Games 4 and 5. And Bucks fans remember being shocked when Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a knee injury in Game 4. Somehow Milwaukee managed to win the series behind stellar performances from Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez.
Overall, I’m glad the Finals matchup is different this year. Most basketball fans can agree that two teams that aren’t the Warriors or whatever team LeBron James is on is perfect. Now, for the prediction….
Prediction: Suns in 6
Devin Booker’s 3-point shooting, Chris Paul’s passing ability, DeAndre Ayton’s rebounding. These things are things that will propel Phoenix to their first ever championship. If Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy, the Bucks could put up a fight. If not, this could be a short series.
