Game Day, NBA Finals Edition — Game 1 — Milwaukee Bucks @ Phoenix Suns, Tuesday 7/6/2021

[Nodack]

Makes sense. Why risk him this early when you have a chance to win without him for awhile at least. If they go down 2-0 I can see them rolling the dice more.

[JeremyG]

Tonight’s refs: https://official.nba.com/

Can we break the will of Marc Davis for a second straight game?!

[ShelC]

[Cap]

And the line is back to +180/-225.

[Split T]

Tonight’s refs: https://official.nba.com/

Can we break the will of Marc Davis for a second straight game?!

I’ll say the longer we go without Scott Foster, the better chance we only get him once. My guess/hope is he refs game 3 with the suns having a 2-0 lead and we don’t see him again.

[Indy]

Tonight’s refs: https://official.nba.com/

Can we break the will of Marc Davis for a second straight game?!

I’ll say the longer we go without Scott Foster, the better chance we only get him once. My guess/hope is he refs game 3 with the suns having a 2-0 lead and we don’t see him again.

I think the bb-ref pages only include the stats from the regular season...

But for that time frame
4-2 for Davis
1-1 for Fraher
2-0 for Tivens

[JeremyG]

Tonight’s refs: https://official.nba.com/

Can we break the will of Marc Davis for a second straight game?!

I’ll say the longer we go without Scott Foster, the better chance we only get him once. My guess/hope is he refs game 3 with the suns having a 2-0 lead and we don’t see him again.

I'm guessing we'll get him for Game 2. There was some stat about him always reffing Game 2's this year.

[Wormwood]

Attempting to come back too soon could EASILY (due to the ligaments and tendons in the knee being too loose) result in a really gruesome injury that's going to take a year to recover from.

I'm talking Shaun Livingston level of bad, on national TV during Game 1 of a finals expected to have massive viewership.

[Split T]

I don’t think Giannis will play..I think Milwaukee is trying to keep us preparing for Giannis by making it seem like there’s a chance.

If he does play and he’s hobbled? That’s a bad situation for Milwaukee..I think that’s the easiest path for us. If I’m Milwaukee and he’s not 100% or at least close, I hold him out the first 2 games and hope we can steal one. Even if they don’t, being down 0-2 with 3 of the next 4 at home and a 100% or near 100% Giannis isn’t a terrible situation.

Now if he’s not going to be 100% at any point in this series, then I guess you gotta try and see what he can do earlier rather than later.

[Indy]

I don’t think Giannis will play..I think Milwaukee is trying to keep us preparing for Giannis by making it seem like there’s a chance.

If he does play and he’s hobbled? That’s a bad situation for Milwaukee..I think that’s the easiest path for us. If I’m Milwaukee and he’s not 100% or at least close, I hold him out the first 2 games and hope we can steal one. Even if they don’t, being down 0-2 with 3 of the next 4 at home and a 100% or near 100% Giannis isn’t a terrible situation.

Now if he’s not going to be 100% at any point in this series, then I guess you gotta try and see what he can do earlier rather than later.

They ended their media interview after winning the ECF by saying "let's get one in Phoenix" and that told me everything I needed to hear. They are happy to try and get a split. They won't let him play. I think they already conceded this game in their mind, and are hoping for him to return Thursday and beat us then.

[JeremyG]

Official Suns Game Notes: https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/suns.pdf

[jonh]

I want to be incredibly optimistic about the Suns taking Game 1 if Giannis doesn't play, but I keep thinking about Game 5 against the Clippers (and the Suns record against sub-.500 teams this year). I think the Fellas can sometimes coast when they feel like they are favored in matchups, and lose their edge. Im nervous that the Suns will ease into Game 1, and get surprised by an overachieving Bucks team.

[Indy]

Official Suns Game Notes: https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/suns.pdf

Thank you for sharing this! Do they share this for every game?

[Indy]

I want to be incredibly optimistic about the Suns taking Game 1 if Giannis doesn't play, but I keep thinking about Game 5 against the Clippers (and the Suns record against sub-.500 teams this year). I think the Fellas can sometimes coast when they feel like they are favored in matchups, and lose their edge. Im nervous that the Suns will ease into Game 1, and get surprised by an overachieving Bucks team.

I hear what you are saying. And if this were any other game (save an elimination game) I would agree. But this just feels too personal to much of the team.

[JeremyG]

Official Suns Game Notes: https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/suns.pdf

Thank you for sharing this! Do they share this for every game?

Yep! Same URL each game, so make sure to download if you want to save them.

[Indy]

Official Suns Game Notes: https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/suns.pdf

Thank you for sharing this! Do they share this for every game?

Yep! Same URL each game, so make sure to download if you want to save them.

Great to know. They are great places to sample play photos/logos/etc.

[BKinSJC]

The last time the Suns won a home finals game was slightly over 45 years ago, on June 2nd, 1976, when they held on to beat Boston 109-107 to tie that series 2-2. The next game was two days later in Boston, the triple overtime classic and Heard's shot, which the team ultimately lost. They returned home shellshocked and lost the series two days after that.

In 1993, the Suns lost all three of their home games to Chicago: games 1, 2, and 6 in the 2-3-2 format the finals used at the time.

So, if the Suns can win this game, they'll not only break that long streak, but also take the series lead in a Finals for the first time in their history.

[Superbone]

I don’t think Giannis will play..I think Milwaukee is trying to keep us preparing for Giannis by making it seem like there’s a chance.

If he does play and he’s hobbled? That’s a bad situation for Milwaukee..I think that’s the easiest path for us. If I’m Milwaukee and he’s not 100% or at least close, I hold him out the first 2 games and hope we can steal one. Even if they don’t, being down 0-2 with 3 of the next 4 at home and a 100% or near 100% Giannis isn’t a terrible situation.

Now if he’s not going to be 100% at any point in this series, then I guess you gotta try and see what he can do earlier rather than later.

They ended their media interview after winning the ECF by saying "let's get one in Phoenix" and that told me everything I needed to hear. They are happy to try and get a split. They won't let him play. I think they already conceded this game in their mind, and are hoping for him to return Thursday and beat us then.

Yep, I was also glad to hear that. Suns won’t be happy with a split in Milwaukee. They’re going to try to win every game.

[Indy]

If you all haven't listened to The Timeline Podcast finals preview, you need to do that before the game. Even if you just listen to the first 5 minutes. Trust me.

[Superbone]

Official Suns Game Notes: https://www.nba.com/gamenotes/suns.pdf

Thank you for sharing this! Do they share this for every game?

Yep! Same URL each game, so make sure to download if you want to save them.

Yeah, that’s awesome. Looks like what they used to give you at the games. Or maybe you had to pay for them. Can’t remember. Or came in your program if you bought one?