by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Feb 26, 2023
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Where to watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Bucks -4
FanDuel: Bucks -3.5
BetMGM: Bucks -3.5
Caesars: Bucks -3.5
Season record
Suns: 33-28
Bucks: 42-17
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting!
Suns - Bucks preview, prediction and analysis
It’s not yet time for Kevin Durant to make his Phoenix Suns debut, but the excitement and anticipation are growing. And you know how to make it at its apex? By taking on the Milwaukee Bucks who may, or may not, have Giannis Antetokounmpo for this Sunday matinee in Milwaukee.
This rematch of the 2021 NBA Finals would be so much better if Durant and Antetokounmpo were available. Durant is expected to make his debut Wednesday against Charlotte, while Antetokounmpo is listed as day-to-day with a knee injury he sustained in Milwaukee’s 128-99 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday.
“I haven’t gotten the full breakdown, but I’m pretty sure either on a a drive or on a screen or something like that, he knocked knees with somebody and just wasn’t able to return," said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, who had no update beyond that.
But the Bucks didn’t need their superstar to win their 13th straight game. Their defense dominated and held Miami to 39 percent shooting and Milwaukee had six starters score in double figures. Jrue Holiday led the way with 24 points and made five 3-pointers, and Bobby Portis had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
“Sometimes you have to stop him from himself, being able to calm down and maybe even not play a couple of games, knowing that we’re No. 2 (in the East), knowing that we’re all right," Holiday said of his two-time MVP teammate. "I know he doesn’t like it. He tries to play every single game, which I completely understand. I feel like I’m the same way.”
The Bucks have won both games without Giannis in the lineup, and they remain a game behind the Boston Celtics for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. After the way they miraculously won against Philadelphia on Saturday, the Celtics aren’t going to be an easy out for that top spot. But man alive, we need an Eastern Conference Finals with these two.
The Suns are biding time before Durant makes his eventual debut, which again, is coming soon. Phoenix has won three of four and is coming off a 124-115 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in their first game after the All-Star break.
Devin Booker had 25 points, as one of five players to score in double figures. Chris Paul had 16 points and six assists as he did not face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right ankle soreness), and Deandre Ayton had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
“I feel great,” Booker said. “I'm trying to get wind all the way back. Games like this are important for that. When you have injuries to the lower half of your body, you can't really condition.”
The Suns won for the 12th time in 16 games, but this game isn’t the full course of how to evaluate the Suns. Phoenix won’t be judged until Durant puts on a jersey and plays a game with them. Until then, anything else will be chalk.
Prediction
One thing to look for here: The Jae Crowder Revenge Game. You know he wants to win that one. Even without Giannis, that’ll be something to utilize. Bucks 118, Suns 108
Betting trends
Suns are 14-15 ATS on the road this season.
Suns are 58-32 ATS after winning 2 of 3 the last 3 seasons.
Bucks are 13-3 ATS as a home favorite of 6 points or less this season.
Bucks are 61-56 ATS as a home favorite the last 3 seasons.
Projected starting lineup
Suns:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Torrey Craig
PF: Josh Okogie
C: Deandre Ayton
Bucks:
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Injury report
Suns: Kevin Durant (leg, out)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee, questionable)
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Phoenix Suns - Milwaukee Bucks prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
