The Milwaukee Bucks play for their first NBA Championship since 1971, while the Phoenix Suns are playing for their first ever NBA title.

The Bucks are most likely missing superstar center Giannis Antetokounmpo for game 1 tonight, as he hyperextended his knee in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He was not available for games 5 and 6, but the Bucks were very impressive despite his absence winning at home and at Atlanta to close out that series in 6.

The Suns have been steamrolling the West and defeated the LA Clippers, though the Clippers were without their often injured superstar Kawhi Leonard, so it was easier for the Suns in the Western Conference Finals.

Here is the TV schedule for the Finals. All times Central.

Tonight, Game 1, @ 8, ABC, Milwaukee @Phoenix

Thursday, Game 2, 8 PM, ABC, Milwaukee @ Phoenix

Sunday, July 11th, Game 3, 7 PM , ABC, Phoenix @ Milwaukee

Wednesday, July 14th, Game 4, 8 PM, ABC Phoenix @ Milwaukee

Saturday, July 17th, Game 5 (if necessary) 8 PM, ABC, Milwaukee @ Phoenix

Tuesday, July 20th, Game 6 (if necessary), 8 PM, ABC, Phoenix @ Milwaukee

Thursday, July 22nd, Game 7 (if necessary), 8 PM, ABC, Milwaukee @ Phoenix

Final Analysis and Prediction

I contend that the Bucks are playing better basketball without Giannis. If he plays, great, but their passing, their shooting, their ball-handling and their free throw shooting is much better. Giannis misses a lot of big shots in the clutch and he’s a terrible free throw shooter at 53% in the playoffs. He turns it over at the exact wrong time in a game as well, usually late when the game is on the line. Six foot seven forward Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez (7’0’, 280) and point guard Jrue Holliday are more than capable of carrying this team in Giannis’s absence. My man, Skip Bayliss of Fox Sports “Undisputed” show which he’s a co-commentator along with Shannon Sharpe, said the Bucs looked like a better team without Giannis against Atlanta, but that was in a vacuum. I’ll take it a step farther than my Vanderbilt brethren and say there’s no vacuum at all. The team is clearly better without him. I’m not saying they won’t take him back, but I don’t see them needing him. Middleton, Lopez and Holliday are superstars, and Pat Connaughton, P.J. Tucker, Bobby Portis, and Jeff Teague are excellent support players who contribute quite well to the effort of winning big games. C Paul, DeAndre Ayton (6’11”, 250) and Devin Booker are super players for the Suns, but I like this Bucks team better. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has said to win a national championship you need 3 NBA players on your team as starters. The same holds true for professional basketball, you need 3 superstars to win it all. The Bucks have that, and 4 when Giannis gets back. But they’re playing so well without him. Middleton averages 24 per game, Holliday 17 and 6 1/2 assists and Lopez is a monster on the boards, blocking shots and hitting key three points shots, and slamming it home on alley oops. I also like the Bucks’ support group on the floor. Giannis is an excellent talent, but he seems to mess up team chemistry. I like the Bucks to win the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy with or without Giannis.

Bucks in 6

Finals MVP, Khris Middleton