NBA Finals Game 3 Opening Odds – Bucks Return Home as 3.5-Point Favorites

• Game 3 of the NBA Finals goes Sunday (July 11th) at 8 pm ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee
• The Bucks trail the best-of-seven series 2-0 after dropping both games in Phoenix
• Read below for opening odds analysis and a prediction on which way the line will move leading up to tip-off

After a pair of ugly road losses, the Milwaukee Bucks now head home looking to rebound. Giannis Antetokounmpo and company suffered double-digit defeats in both Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, and will try to avoid falling behind 3-0 when they host Phoenix in Game 3 on Sunday (July 11th), at 8 pm ET.

Suns vs Bucks Opening Odds – Game 3

Odds as of July 8th.

The Bucks opened up as a 3.5-point home favorite in Game 3, in a contest that features a total of 222.5.

Chris Paul, playing in the first Finals of his storied career, was phenomenal again in Phoenix’s 118-108 Game 2 victory, while Devin Booker and the rest of the Suns were on fire from the floor.

Suns Light Up Bucks

Phoenix shot 48.9% from the floor, and 50% from behind the arc, and are now two wins away from their first title in franchise history. Booker led the way with 31 points, while Mikal Bridges poured in 27, and Paul splashed 23, to go along with 8 assists.

💦💦 pic.twitter.com/m8kusQ7An9

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 9, 2021

The Suns strong shooting covered up plenty of holes, as despite the convincing outcome, they lost the rebounding and turnover battle, and were slaughtered on the break and in the paint.

A game after losing Dario Saric for the season with a knee injury, Phoenix was dealt another blow as Torrey Craig left Thursday’s contest with a knee injury of his own. No update is currently available on Craig, but if he’s misses any length of time, that will put the Suns down two bodies out of their 9-man rotation.

Milwaukee Looks to Rebound

The Bucks had plenty of chances to take control of Game 2, but couldn’t slow down Phoenix’s shooters. Antetokounmpo, playing for the second time after hyperextending his knee in the East Finals, was brilliant with 42 points and 12 boards, but his supporting cast let him down.

Take a bow Giannis Antetokounmpo.

42 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal. He left absolutely everything on the floor. What a performance.

— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) July 9, 2021

Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday combined for just 28 points on 12-of-37 shooting, missing an abundance of easy looks along the way. Milwaukee dominated inside, outscoring Phoenix 54-28 in the paint, but shot just 29% from three, and 65% from the charity stripe.

The one silver lining for the Bucks is that they’ve been in this position before. Milwaukee trailed Brooklyn 2-0 in the 2nd Round, before rallying to win the series in seven games.

Line Likely Headed in Bucks’ Favor

No NBA team has ever erased a 3-0 series deficit, and early bettors aren’t expecting the Bucks to be in that situation. The juice on -3.5 has already moved to -114, and given Milwaukee’s record at home this postseason (7-1), don’t be surprised if the Bucks close as a 4 or 4.5-point favorite, just like Phoenix did at home in Game 2.

The Suns beat the Bucks 118-108 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals to take a 2-0 series lead. Teams that led 2-0 in the NBA Finals have gone on to win the championship 31 out of 35 times. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/76mkRKIAHL

— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) July 9, 2021

As for the Suns, they’ve been road warriors in the playoffs. Phoenix is 6-2 both straight up and against the spread, and beat Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum during the regular season. If you’re bullish on Phoenix for Game 3 be patient. More favorable odds are likely coming your way.