This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Deandre Ayton and Giannis Antetokounmpo combine for 27+ rebounds (+105) -- PointsBet (12:47 PM CT)
Hard to believe plus money is being offered on this. Both teams rely on each player for heavy rebounding totals, and I'm not expecting that to change Thursday. In Game 1, Ayton grabbed 19 rebounds, bringing his average to 17.3 boards across the past four contests. Giannis secured 17 rebounds himself in Game 1, and he's averaging 12.9 boards per game in these playoffs.
Nick Whalen
Chris Paul to record a double-double (+135) vs. MIL -- DraftKings (11:06 AM CT)
Paul has been knocking on the door of a double-double virtually anytime he steps on the floor this postseason. He missed it by one assist in Game 1 and had eight assists in each of the final two games against the Clippers in the Western Conference Finals. With the assumption that the Suns come out with a better shooting night, I like Paul's chances to hit double-digit assists. The points are, of course, a virtual lock.
Phoenix Suns -4.5 (-115) vs. MIL -- DraftKings
Game 1 was discouraging for the Bucks in a number of ways. Not only did Giannis play, but he played pretty well and was a plus-1 in his 35 minutes of action. The Bucks also drilled 16 threes, including several difficult looks to keep the game relatively close in the second half. On top of that, the Suns did not shoot the three well, with Devin Booker going just 1-of-8 on mostly wide-open looks. Bottom line: A lot went right for Milwaukee and the Bucks still lost by double-digits. With the Suns' home crowd out for blood, it feels like Game 2 could play out rather similarly to Game 1 -- especially with the assumption that Phoenix shoots the ball better as a team.
