NBA Finals Preview and Predictions
Phoenix vs. Milwaukee -- a battle of small market teams (finally), in an ultra-intriguing series where Chris Paul and Giannis Antetokounmpo make their Finals debuts.
The NBA Finals are finally here, it’s the upstart Phoenix Suns led by seasoned veteran Chris Paul, against the Milwaukee Bucks surrounded by a core of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo and two-time all-star Khris Middleton. Here are our predictions for the Finals:
(Photo by: Ashley Landis/Associated Press)
Ansh Suchdeve’s Prediction: Suns in 7
The health of Giannis Antetokounmpo will likely determine this series — if Giannis does play all games, I could see this series swinging either way; however, I have my doubts about the two-time MVP being fully healthy after the hyperextension injury he suffered in the conference finals against Atlanta. Anyway, it’s the year of Chris Paul: The bad luck with gut wrenching, season-ending injuries have diminished from him and his supporting cast, and constant heartbreak has turned into triumph for the Suns. A team that went from being the cellar of the conference for many years has allowed the “Point God” to flip the culture in just one season, with the likes of emerging superstar Devin Booker averaging 27 PPG on a respectable .566 TS% has resembled hall of fame scoring guard Kobe Bryant from many years ago. Not to mention, the Suns hit their shots, as Phoenix has five players shooting at least 40% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Bucks will need to be stout offensively, as Giannis may start this series slow due to the nagging injury, and Khris Middleton will need to continue his heroics from carrying the Bucks offense in the conference finals. However, Phoenix has the defenders for Middleton, as they can put sizable forwards Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges on the veteran Milwaukee wings, and while they may not be elite defenders, Crowder and Bridges can be serviceable guys to get in the way of the formidable three-point shooting of Jrue Holiday and Middleton. To me, the series will pivot on which defense and side of three-point shooting breaks down in crunch time, and the Suns just have slightly more firepower to outlast the Bucks.
One Bold Pick: Chris Paul breaks the record for most assists in a Finals series (currently held by Magic Johnson -- 91 assists).
Look, this record will probably go untouched for the foreseeable future, but I fully believe Chris Paul has another remarkable series in this postseason, and why not pick one of the best ball-distributors in NBA history to inch, or even break Magic’s monumental record.
Finals MVP: Chris Paul
Since I will be predicting Paul to break the assist record, that means he has to get the Finals MVP award, right? The ultimate leader in the locker room, the guy who is going to create open windows in passing lanes, the one throwing lofty passes to rising star Deandre Ayton, and the one who’s going to lead Phoenix to their first title in their franchise’s illustrious history. It’s Chris Paul’s season to finally earn what he has been chasing since the New Orleans Hornets days, and what better way to win the award with one of the best pure scorers handling the keys to the offense alongside him.
Connor Easterday’s Prediction: Suns in 6
The finals-clinching games said a lot about both of these teams. The Suns mercilessly ripped the hearts out of Clippers’ fans; Chris Paul finally showing up in the spotlight and putting their opponents to bed in a rout. Meanwhile the Bucks struggled to keep a lead against a depleted Hawks team that featured an injured Trae Young hobbling to the finish line. Of course the result of this series very well may hinge on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s health status. However, healthy or not, Mike Budenholzer’s Milwaukee Bucks will face serious dangers against this Suns team. Should they continue to play the drop coverage defense with Brook Lopez, they will be giving the Suns a clear path to this championship. Opening the paint and ceding ground to the mid-range jumper is not going to be successful when you’re going up against Chris Paul and Devin Booker 一 two players who happen to be elite in that area of the game. Giannis is the x-factor that could end up making this prediction look silly, however I just have a hard time imagining this seal-tight Suns’ offense breaking down against the Bucks.
One Bold Pick: DeAndre Ayton dominates and makes a case for finals MVP
One of the most intriguing things about this Suns’ playoff run has been the breakout of DeAndre Ayton. After two year of middling defense and piling losses, the 2018 number one overall pick finally took a major step forward this season, acting as the anchor for a top-10 ranking defense. Well that development has been propelled this postseason. Not only has Ayton been a stout defensive presence, but he’s had some games where he’s outright dominated on both ends. Matched up against Brook Lopez, a good-not-great defender and somebody who will be laser-focused on keeping up with Devin Booker and Chris Paul all series, Ayton should see his opportunities grow and might just have the kind of series that brings his name to stardom.
Finals MVP: Devin Booker
I know, I know, I’m not following through with my “bold pick.” While I do believe DeAndre Ayton will have his shot at the Finals MVP trophy, I have to go with Devin Booker here. However, the name I really should be slotting in is: whoever Jrue Holiday *isn’t* defending. Assuming that’s Booker, he’s who I’m going with. As previously discussed, the Bucks’ drop coverage should open the way for that sweet midrange jump-shot that Booker has become famous for. While I am in the Chris Paul VIP fanclub, and he’ll no doubt have the best “story” in these finals, nobody can doubt that Devin Booker has been the guy the whole time. I think he cements that.