2021 NBA Finals Picks and Predictions

The NBA Finals are here. We have two unexpected teams. Virtually everyone though the Nets were coming out of the East, as did I.

I’m also an optimistic Nets fan. Most people also picked the Suns to lose in the first round of the playoffs.

The Suns(-195) open as the favorite to win the Finals, as they have home court advantage and Giannis’s status is unknown with his hyperextended knee for the Bucks(+165).

Giannis’s absence has left Jrue Holiday to carry a bigger load, and he has delivered with more aggression and determination to drive to the rack. Giannis’s eventual return will cause issues for the Suns, since they don’t have a viable defensive option for the 2-time MVP. Jae Crowder is too small and DeAndre Ayton is too valuable to let fall into foul trouble.

The guard battle in this series will be tremendous. Chris Paul and Devin Booker versus Jrue and Khris Middleton. The masters of offense vs the masters of two-way basketball. Chris Paul is looking to win his first championship and the Bucks look to win their first in 50 years.

The Suns open as -5.5 favorites at home for Game 1. The Bucks have been a bad road team throughout these playoffs. The Suns have been very dominant at home outside of the first round. I see the Suns having the edge, especially with Giannis likely out for Game 1. As anyone following my blogs knows, my picks against the spread have been god awful after the first round of the playoffs. I like Phoenix to win Game 1 and to win the series provided Giannis is out for at least two games. Brook Lopez can quite possibly be the X-factor in this series, but he will struggle to defend the Pick-N-Rolls initiated by CP3 or Book. We saw Kevin Durant score at will in that series and Trae Young dominate in the following round. Khris Middleton will need to carry the entire load. Phoenix’s three-and-D specialists Crowder and Mikail Bridges will need to score above their over/props to help carry the Suns.

The Picks: Suns -195 to win the series, Suns ML -240 to win Game 1

Chirp me if I've let you down, or send me some love if I made you money. My Twitter is @PetesPix33. With my record being what it is, I wouldn't blame you if you faded my picks, however, this is still the week we get back on track. So you should probably tail me (responsibly).