Steve Starr
- BetOnline has Milwaukee at -400 to win the series and the Larry O’Brien Trophy
- The Bucks are a 5-point home favorite in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, which tips off from Milwaukee on Tuesday, July 20 at 9pm ET
- Giannis Antekounmpo (-400) is viewed as a lock to win 2021 NBA Finals MVP
After overcoming a 16-point first-quarter deficit to win Game 5 of the NBA Finals 123-119 in Phoenix, the Bucks will have a chance to win the franchise’s first NBA championship in 50 years on Tuesday night.
Milwaukee’s Big 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday combined for 88 points to earn the first road of the series and are now one victory away from completing their second 2-0 comeback in this postseason and the fifth in NBA Finals history.
Let’s look at the opening Game 6 odds before examining the updated NBA MVP odds. As always, if you need any help or advice, review these tips for betting on basketball.
2021 NBA Finals
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points | Team Points |
| Phoenix Suns | +5.0 (-110) | +175 | Ov 222 (-110) | Ov 108.5 (-110) Un 108.5 (-110) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -5.0 (-110) | -205 | Un 222 (-110) | Ov 113.5 (-110) Un 113.5 (-110) |
Milwaukee open as 5-point home favorites
Oddsmakers expect Milwaukee to finish the job on their home court, where they are 19-3 in the playoffs over the past four seasons, with only one loss this postseason. Phoenix had an impressive 6-2 road record heading into the NBA Finals but they’re yet to win in Fiserv Forum in this series. Seeking the franchise’s first-ever championship, the Suns need a road victory to bring the series back to the desert for Game 7 on Thursday night.
Historically, the Bucks’ win on Saturday bodes well for their chances. Game 5 winners of a tied series have won the series 21 of 29 times in the NBA Finals.
Life lessons with @Giannis_An34. pic.twitter.com/oelTDCQo3E
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 17, 2021
Milwaukee certainly seems like a team of destiny with two-time MVP Giannis Antekounmpo in the middle of two all-time NBA Finals moments. Following a gravity defying block on DeAndre Ayton to steal Game 4, the Greek Freak made a game-sealing alley-oop dunk in the closing seconds of Game 5 after Jrue Holiday stole the ball from Devin Booker.
Bet on the Bucks (-205) to defeat the Suns in Game 6 at home for the franchise’s first championship since 1971. We also like Milwaukee to cover the 5-point spread and the UNDER on 222 total points.
NBA Finals MVP
|
|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | -400 |
| Devin Booker | +550 |
| Chris Paul | +600 |
Giannis to win MVP
Prior to the start of the Bucks/Suns series, we pointed out that NBA Finals MVPs are reserved for the greatest basketball players of all time. Michael Jordan has six, LeBron James has four, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neil have three apiece, and Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Hakeem Olajuwon all have two.
A -400 favorite, Giannis will fit perfectly on that list after averaging 32.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks in five Finals games while shooting 61.2 percent from the field. All the more impressive considering he suffered a hyperextended knee in the Eastern Conference finals.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are the 5th trio in NBA Finals history to each record 25 points on 50% shooting in a game. They are the first to do this since James Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson in 1985. pic.twitter.com/vkUbKQxkOd
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 18, 2021
If you like Phoenix to comeback in the series, bet on Devin Booker at +550 to win the NBA Finals MVP. While his backcourt mate Chris Paul (+600) choked away Game 4, the 24-year-old assassin is coming off two-consecutive 40-point games.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
