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March 3, 2022
North Carolina at Duke – ESPN
March 3, 2022
It is an NBA Finals rematch on Sunday, as the Phoenix Suns visit the Milwaukee Bucks on ABC. The Bucks won the NBA title a year ago, beating the Suns four games to two. The Suns got a small measure of revenge last month, blowing the Bucks off the court in Phoenix, winning 131-107.
The Suns have the top record in the NBA, while the Bucks are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Suns have been excellent on the road all season, while the Bucks have been good, but not great at home. Let’s look at this matchup between the Suns and Bucks and NBA picks.
Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks
Date and Time: Sunday, March 6, 2022, 3:30 PM ET
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
NBA Odds: TBD
TV Coverage: ABC
NBA Preview
The Suns are listed at odds of 4-1 at SugarHouse Sportsbook to win the NBA title while the Bucks are listed at 6.5-1. The Suns are co-favorites along with Golden State, while the Bucks are the third choice in NBA betting odds. It would be a major surprise if this year’s NBA Finals didn’t include either Phoenix or Golden State. The Bucks are definitely a contender in the East but they are no sure thing, as a number of teams are capable of beating Milwaukee, including the Miami Heat who currently lead the Eastern Conference.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns are averaging 113.6 points per game which is 4th in the league. They lead the league in field goal percentage at just over 48%. The Suns are giving up 105.9 points per game which is 6th in the league.
Devin Booker leads the team in scoring at 25.6 points per game while Chris Paul leads the team in assists at 10.7 per contest. Deandre Ayton leads the team in rebounding at 10 per contest.
It should be noted that the Suns are currently without Chris Paul who has a thumb injury. The Suns are hoping he can return sometime next month. Also, keep an eye on the status of leading scorer Devin Booker who was placed in COVID protocol on Wednesday.
The Suns played at home against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday and then hosted the Knicks on Friday.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are averaging 113.6 points per game which is 5th in the league. They have thrived thanks to hitting the boards, as they are second in the league in rebounds per game. The Bucks give up 110 points per game which is just 16th in the league.
The Bucks are led by Giannis Antetokounmpo who leads the team in scoring at 29.4 points per game and in rebounds at 11.4 per contest. Jrue Holliday leads the team in assists at 6.6 per contest.
This is not a great spot for Milwaukee, as they will be coming off two huge games within the Eastern Conference. The Bucks were home against the Heat who lead the Eastern Conference on Wednesday and then they were at the Bulls who are in second place on Friday.
NBA Betting Trends
The Suns have won six of the last ten meetings in this series, but the four losses the Suns suffered were in last year’s NBA Finals. Seven of the last ten have gone over the total. It has been a home team series for the most part, as the Bucks have won 7 of the last 10 in Milwaukee. The games have been lower scoring in Milwaukee, with seven of the last ten going under the total.
NBA Picks
The Suns got to feel a little better about themselves by routing the Bucks last month, but nothing is really going to help Phoenix get over last season other than winning the NBA title. The Suns are not at full strength, as the loss of Paul is a big one and who knows if Booker will be available for this one. If Phoenix was at full strength, then they would probably be the way to go in this one, but they are not. Playing the total could be the best bet in this one. Phoenix is not as potent on offense without Paul in the lineup, and there is no question that the trends support the under, as 7 of the last 10 meetings in Milwaukee have gone under. I will go under the total in this one.
Check out the latest NBA odds at SugarHouse sportsbook.
