According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Bucks shot just 13-for-24 (54.2%) within five feet of the rim in Game 1.
#Suns vs nuggets game 2 prediction free
Offensively, the Bucks need to get to the line more themselves (only 16 free throw attempts in Game 1) and do a much better job finishing in the paint. I mentioned up in the Suns preview how little the Bucks put opposing teams on the free throw line, and I think we are having a different discussion today (even if the Suns still won) if Milwaukee kept Phoenix away from the stripe.
#Suns vs nuggets game 2 prediction series
I’m guessing everyone will be calling for him to ditch the switching scheme that they relied on in the series opener, as all everyone has in their mind from that game is Brook Lopez standing on an island up top trying to guard Devin Booker and Chris Paul in isolation.Īnd while I certainly wouldn’t fault them for going back to more of a drop coverage (as long as it is not an extremely heavy drop coverage in which Lopez is WAY back) since they have had so much success with it for so long, I think the more important adjustment for Milwaukee is to simply not foul so much. I am curious to see what adjustments Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer makes for Game 2 on the defensive end. And while that is theoretically a good thing if you are a Suns fan, it could end up limiting Ayton’s effectiveness in the final stretches of these games. If that is Monty’s plan going forward, then Ayton is likely looking at even more minutes in this series. In fact, Monty Williams completely removed him from the rotation in the second half. The Bucks involved Kaminsky in as many actions as possible in the few minutes he was out on the court, and it did not go well for him (or the Suns, obviously). While a likely Saric absence may not seem like a big deal on the surface, he is certainly better than the alternative, which is Frank Kaminsky.
Even if he escaped suffering a serious injury (which would be quite fortunate based on how it looked), I’d be shocked if he is able to suit up for Game 2. Saric left the game just a few minutes into his first rotation after suffering what looked like a non-contact knee injury. The last thing to note here regarding the Suns is that they might be without Dario Saric for Game 2 (and much longer than that). And despite him looking like his normal self from an athletic perspective, he wasn’t exactly that aggressive offensively. He suited up and was ready to play at tip-off.
On Monday the Bucks listed him as doubtful, then upgraded him to questionable Tuesday afternoon. Giannis made his return to the playoffs a lot sooner than most expected. The Suns will likely continue to take their chances with Deandre Ayton guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo. I mean, they only gave up 105 points to a Bucks team that averaged 120.1 points per game during the regular season.
Booker was just 8-for-21 from the floor, including 1-for-8 from three-point range.ĭefensively, I don’t think we see Phoenix change much, either. Devin Booker did finish with 27 points, but it was aided quite a bit by him going 10-for-10 from the line. Obviously, that doesn’t include Chris Paul who, along with Deandre Ayton, was extremely efficient on the offensive end. So yes, it is certainly promising that the Suns were able to put up 118 points against the Bucks, but I think their halfcourt offense didn’t perform quite as well as some might think. Throw in the fact that the Bucks allowed the fewest free throw attempts in the league during the regular season, I’m not sure the Suns can count on getting so much of their production at the line going forward in the NBA Finals.
However, according to NBA Advanced Stats, made free throws accounted for just 13.5% of their points during the regular season. Those 25 made free throws accounted for 21.2% of their points in Game 1. Considering they are coming off of a 13-point win, NBA bettors shouldn’t expect many adjustments from the Phoenix Suns and head coach Monty Williams in Game 2.įrom an offensive perspective, the Suns got a huge boon from their ability to get to the free throw line a bunch and, to their credit, knocked almost all of them down (25/26, 96.2%).
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