Phoenix Suns (65–25 55-33-2 ATS) at Milwaukee Bucks (58-33 42-49 ATS)
The Bucks are back home in an 0-2 hole in this NBA finals series where they not only lost the first two games but lost each by double figures. This Game 3 can be seen on ABC.
Back in Milwaukee oddsmakers have the Bucks as a 4-point home favorite in Game 3 with the total sitting at 222.
The Bucks lost Game 2 118-108 and it the second straight series where they were down 2-0. However, in the last series injuries hurt the Brooklyn Nets while the Suns are surging and shot 50% from 3-pt land in the Game 2 win.
The Suns got big games in Game 2 from Chris Paul and Devin Booker and withstood a big game from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who did not get much help.
Phoenix is 5-0 ATS in their last five games facing the Bucks and have covered in four of their last five games facing them in Milwaukee.
The 3-Ball Really Helps
In the Game 2 win the Suns hit 20 of their 40 3-pointers and they were outscored 20-0 in the paint in the first quarter but because they were hot from deep they were only down three points.
Devin Booker went for 31 points in Game 2 on solid shooting and he was 7/12 from beyond the 3-pt arc. Paul chimed in for 23 points and eight assists and every Suns starter had at least 11 points.
Paul has totaled 55 points in the first two games of this series and he has not only shot at least 50% from the field in both games but also at least 50% from 3-pt land.
Miles Bridges really stepped up in the last game going for 27 points.
Milwaukee has solid perimeter defenders but that has not showed in the series with Booker and Paul controlling the pace.
The Suns have covered the spread in their last four games a road underdog.
The Greek Freak Cannot Do It All
In the game two loss Giannis Antetokounmpo had 42 points on 15/22 shooting while no other Milwaukee player hit more than seven field goals.
Jrue Holliday had 17 points on 7/21 shooting and Kris Middleton only had 11 points on 5/16 shooting. Middleton is the second leading scorer for the Bucks and had scored at least 26 points in his previous three games. Holliday is the third leading scorer and in the two games in the series has shot 33.3% and 28.6%, respectively from the floor.
When the Bucks have been down in the playoffs the supporting cast has stepped up their play and they need that to happen in this game or they will be down 3-0.
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
The Prediction
I think the Bucks supporting cast will play well in this game and help out the big guy but will it be enough? Paul and Booker played great in the last game and the Suns had great ball movement and shot the rock well from deep. They are a confident team that will come out firing in Game 3. The Bucks will get their game back at home, but I still see a close game in this one, which is why I am taking the Suns and the points.
PICK: Suns +4