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The Milwaukee Bucks hit the road to take on the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status is still up in the air due to a hyperextended knee he suffered in Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks. Here are Milwaukee’s best player props for Game 1 as it tries to steal home-court advantage in the series.
Update: Giannis is playing in Game 1, according to Chris Haynes.
Bucks player props
Brook Lopez under 15.5 points (-105)
One player, who will play an integral part in this game, let alone this series, is Brook Lopez. He stepped up in a pivotal Game 5 for the Bucks, scoring 33 points on 14-of-18 shooting in 38 minutes. They will need that Lopez to show up against Deandre Ayton.
Right now, there’s a ton of juice on Lopez’s points prop, which is currently at 15.5 at -122 odds. I feel that the better play is the under at -105 odds. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Lopez only went over 15.5 points in 2 of 6 games. Then in the second round against Brooklyn, the veteran center only went over 15.5 points in 2 of 7 games. Ayton has been excellent on both ends of the floor this postseason and shouldn’t have much trouble with Lopez.
Khris Middleton over 6.5 assists (+111)
Middleton will be looked upon to be a scorer, facilitator, and rebounder tonight for the Bucks, along with point guard Jrue Holiday. The 29-year-old Middleton has done a great job of doing all those things this season, which makes his assists prop an easy play for me. He has gone over 6.5 assists in 4 of his last 6 games. Additionally, in two games against the Suns in the regular season, Middleton averaged 8.0 assists per game.
Jrue Holiday under 37.5 points, rebounds, and assists (-103)
This might be the hardest play on the Bucks’ side for Game 1 because Holiday will make an impact in all facets. The Bucks will also need to help direct traffic on the floor and clean the glass.
Holiday is going up against a Suns’ team that is one of the better rebounding teams in the postseason, averaging 44.1 per game. In the Bucks’ last series against the Hawks, Holiday went over 37.5 points, rebounds, and assists three times. It’s tough for me to see him going over against the backcourt duo of Chris Paul and Devin Booker.
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