Monday starts off right with Game 2 of Nets-Bucks and the first game of what should be the best series of the playoffs, Suns-Nuggets. Based on Game 1, Brooklyn looks to have things handled without James Harden, but Milwaukee hits a few shots and the game falls their way. Kevin Durant needs to be more efficient, although if Blake Griffin and Joe Harris keep playing well, Durant is allowed to have a few off games. The Bucks won't want to test how many times Durant only scores 29 points on 25 shots, so players like Khris Middleton need to step up.
For the Suns and Nuggets Game 1, it's about to be fireworks. Even if both teams lock down on defense, Nikola Jokic and Devin Booker can't be stopped currently. It'll be fun watching both teams try, but good offense always wins and both Jokic and Booker's offense was near unstoppable in their first round series.
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MIL @ BKN
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) LESS 34.5 Points - Kevin Durant (BKN) MORE 33.5 Points
James Harden's availability is key to this matchup, but ignoring that still paints a pretty clear path for at least one of these players. Luckily, Durant didn't need to be efficient in the first game of the series, but with the rest of the Nets not named Kyrie Irving likely to regress in Game 2, Durant should see and will welcome more attempts. With a few Milwaukee players having bad games and assuming they can bounce back in Game 2, another close game should give Durant the usage he needs.
For Giannis Antetokounmpo, it's pretty much the same every game. He will score 20 points, but Khris Middleton is the primary option when it comes to just hitting shots and creating space. Game 1 was terrible for Middleton and with a bounce-back game pretty much scheduled for him, Antetokounmpo might break 30, but not specific threshold we need for the over.
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DEN @ PHX
Nikola Jokic (DEN) MORE 31.5 Points - Devin Booker (PHX) MORE 30.5 Points
A good sign for the over here is that these two starting lineups have never faced. Nikola Jokic posted some serious stats against the Suns every time they've played this season, but that was also when he was playing alongside Jamal Murray and Will Barton. Without them, it'll be another Jokic-Michael Porter Jr. oriented gameplan and that means plenty of shots for both. Deandre Ayton has been defending well, but that's not saying much when Jokic is playing as good as he is.
For as hot as Nikola Jokic has been, Devin Booker is hotter and was the driving force behind taking the Lakers out of the playoffs. There are few scarier players in the playoffs right now and two of them are about to face off in a series. Both Denver and Phoenix have put a strong emphasis on defense this season, but Jokic and Booker have been too good to rely on solely defense to win you a game. I'm staying far from the under even in a Game 1.
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