Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are on the brink of winning Milwaukee its first NBA title since 1971.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are on the verge of winning the NBA title tonight. Can Milwaukee close it out against Chris Paul and the Suns? The Crossover staff makes their Game 6 predictions.
Chris Mannix: Bucks
Chris Paul looks off, Deandre Ayton looks gassed and Milwaukee is a great home team. Decent chance this game gets out of hand quickly.
Michael Pina: Bucks
The Bucks will win Game 6 and their first title in 50 years. Jrue Holiday’s pressure defense on Chris Paul (and Devin Booker) will keep the Point God out of rhythm, while Deandre Ayton will buckle under the strain of all those minutes (he played more than anyone else in Game 5) guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo. Speaking of, in front of his home crowd the two-time MVP will make more free throws than he misses, just enough for Milwaukee to plan a parade.
Elizabeth Swinton: Bucks
Milwaukee has overpowered Phoenix on the interior over the past three games, and until Phoenix proves it can figure its offense out, the Bucks carry the momentum to win their first title in 50 years. The Suns have struggled with offensive balance as Deandre Ayton has taken a step back and Chris Paul has failed to take care of the ball and get Ayton involved on offense. The Suns have the tools to carry the series to a winner-take-all Game 7 in Phoenix, but Devin Booker will need help—Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee have dominated at home and will fight to close the series on their terms.
Michael Shapiro: Bucks
Perhaps Chris Paul turns back the clock one more time, but I expect this series to end Tuesday night in Milwaukee. The Bucks’s size is forcing Phoenix into an unsustainable shot diet, and Monty Williams’s squad doesn’t have the requisite personnel to contain Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday on the perimeter. Add in a rabid Milwaukee crowd, and we could see the Bucks cruise to their first championship in 50 years in Game 6.
Ben Pickman: Suns
One of the craziest stats from Game 5 was that Devin Booker scored 40 points and finished his team’s eventual loss +12 in 42-minutes of action. I’d expect that minutes number to increase even more in Game 6 as the 24-year-old guard looks to send the NBA Finals back to Phoenix.
Jarrel Harris: Bucks
I initially picked the Suns to win the Finals, but I think the Bucks close it out tonight. Game 5 was a brutal loss for Phoenix at home. Giannis needed help at the beginning of the series and Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have stepped up to the plate. Can’t see the Suns stealing one in Milwaukee and forcing a Game 7. Congrats to the Bucks.
Robin Lundberg: Bucks
The Bucks will close out this series because Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have showed up offensively to help Giannis, and I don’t see that changing in Milwaukee. When all those guys are at their best the Bucks are simply too much for Phoenix and I expect them to continue the trend of overpowering the Suns en route to hoisting the trophy.
Jeremy Woo: Suns
No, but I think they will win it in seven. Which I already predicted. Deja vu.
More NBA Coverage:
• Milwaukee’s Defense Was Built for This Moment
• Can Chris Paul Turn Around His Turnover Problem?
• Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Seizing His NBA Finals Moment
• 2021 NBA Playoff Awards: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo the MVP?
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