Zach to the Rack NBA Playoff Picks For Tuesday 7/6/2021
July 06, 2021
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Zach’s Season Record: 119-108
Twitter: @ZachSelwyn1
THE NBA FINALS are finally upon us. I spent the 4th of July in Arizona, and let me tell you, there have never been more Suns jerseys worn by brand new Suns fans in public places since about 1993… It’s like the entire state turned on the fair-weather fan faucets the moment they beat the Clippers in the Western Conference Finals. The sad truth is, however, that 75% of these fans probably still think Dan Majerle is on the team… I guess that's what happens if you go 53 years without a championship. Fans lose interest until the team starts winning. The same could be said for Milwaukee fans, but they’ve been super supportive since this franchise turned themselves around. The city also had a championship in the second half of the 20th century (1971). But not since they had a one-of-a-kind talent like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on their team. Oh, wait! They have Giannis Antetokounmpo! Or do they? At this point, mum’s the word on if this generational superstar will even suit up for game one, which makes me think that Phoenix is favored by 6 points for this particular reason. But in reality? I don’t know if they should be…Milwaukee Bucks @ Phoenix Suns: Milwaukee +6 (-110)
Point Totals: Over 219 (-110)
Here. We. Go. No LeBron. No Curry. Giannis or Chris Paul will have a ring this year. Oh, so will Torrey Craig – who is the only player GUARANTEED to win a ring. Why? He began the season with the Bucks, which means he gets a ring no matter what the case. My question is, if you were Torrey Craig, would you even accept the ring from the Bucks should they win? (DeMarcus Cousins sure did after playing like 2 games with the Lakers last season.) I guess I get it, the ring is the defining moment in a player’s career… who cares if you were traded from the winning team in March? My question is, how does perennial Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks player Eric Bledsoe feel watching his two former teams battle it out tonight while he wallows in misery in New Orleans?
The Spread & the Point Total
Game 1 is going to be a battle – even without Giannis. Middleton and Holiday proved that they are as lethal of a duo in the league when they sent the Hawks packing last week and they don’t look to be slowing down. I’ve had some bad picks lately, but I know this game is going to be harder to predict than how long Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s marriage will last. The Suns are rested and look like they’re having fun on Instagram practice videos, shooting logo threes and preparing to open the series at home. The Bucks are more by the book, not sharing injury updates and keeping it pretty middle of the road online. The Suns have the flash – Booker and Paul are franchise faces. The Bucks are focused and determined. Middleton and Holiday are kind of boring dudes. Certainly the Suns are more fun, but will it lead them to a Game 1 victory? Yes. But… look at their two games against each other this season? The Suns won both by ONE POINT. One game even went to OT. And that was when Giannis was healthy. I think we’re gonna see another close game but not a six point win. I’m taking the BUCKS to cover the spread… even though the Suns will win. Points-wise, I’m going with the over. The sheer giddiness and excitement of playing in the NBA Finals will have these teams gunning. They both are capable of hitting a ton of three-pointers, but the home court advantage will play in huge here.Prop Bets
I’ll throw a prop bet or two in here as well… I’m taking Devin Booker to show out and score 30 points (+110) in his first NBA Finals game. I’m also taking Khris Middleton to score 30 (+190). This is about to be good, folks, so take the Bucks to cover, the over, and D-Book and Middleton to hit 30 points a piece. No word on how many Dan Majerle will have tonight…
