The Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns have a date in the NBA Finals, and if we go by their regular season duels, the series could be played out with a few small details.
The Suns have won both games between the two teams this season. In February, the Arizona side had the upper hand by just one small point – 125 to 124 – and in April extra time was needed to win 128 to 127.
“It looked like the intensity of the NBA playoffs,” Suns coach Monty Williams said after the February duel. Few could have predicted that the two rivals would really cross paths in the final.
And yet this is what is happening. After a decade without a playoff, Phoenix has changed dramatically to reach the third final in its history. Even though big stars like Charles Barkley and Steve Nash have passed through Arizona, the team’s name has never been engraved on the Larry-O’Brien trophy.
The Suns have been expeditious and will enjoy more time off than the Bucks before Game 1, scheduled for Tuesday. The bookmakers also give them a slight advantage to win, especially in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The one who will tip the scales
Since Antetokounmpo rose to the rank of super-star during the 2016-2017 season, the Bucks have never missed the playoffs. The Toronto Raptors ended their hopes for the 2019 association final before eventually winning the championship.
The “Greek Freak”, twice voted best player on the tour, has yet to receive the Larry-O’Brien trophy during his career. This is his chance to consolidate his place among the greats.
Even though he’s almost essential to the Bucks’ success, Antetokounmpo had to be absent for Games 5 and 6 against the Hawks and his people have won every time. Hit in the left knee a week ago, the 26-year-old is an uncertain case for the first duels in Phoenix.
“The biggest thing we did in the last two games was play for him. We have a real team, ”said Pat Connaughton after the decisive game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Like others, Connaughton took his game up a notch in Antetokounmpo’s absence. Guards Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton were perhaps the ones who had to take the most on their shoulders, and both veterans fared admirably.
“The guys have worked hard all year. They deserve to go to the final. We still have work to do, ”summed up head coach Mike Budenholzer, who has won the championship four times as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs.
.
