PHOENIX (ARIZONA) - FEBRUARY 10, 2010: Chris Paul #3 of Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Giannis... [+] Antetokounmpo 34 of Milwaukee Bucks during second half of NBA game at Phoenix Suns Arena, February 10, 2021, Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Bucks by 125 to 124. NOTE TO USER: By downloading or using this photograph, the User acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images). Getty ImagesThe 2021 NBA Finals participants have been announced. The Eastern Conference's Milwaukee Bucks will face off against the Western Conference's Phoenix Suns with the Larry OBrien trophy on the line.ADVERTISEMENTIt seemed like this was one of the more unlikely Finals matchups, considering how long Phoenix's odds of reaching the Finals were in December. This year's championship record was broken by the Suns, who were 60-1 underdogs to win it. The 2002 New Jersey Nets (40-1 odds of winning a title) and the 2020 Miami Heat (40-1 odds of winning a title) were previously the largest underdogs to reach Finals. However, they still made it to the Finals.Although neither of these teams were able raise a banner, and they were underdogs in Finals, the Suns are actually the favorite in this year's edition. Phoenix opened at -175 chalk and has a slight advantage over the Bucks at +140.2021 NBA Finals Opening OddsChampion Odds: Suns 175, Bucks +140Game 1 Odds Suns -5.5Game 1 Total: More than 217 PointsGame 1 Moneyline: Suns +240, Bucks +200FanDuel Sportsbook: NBA Finals oddsInjuries have been a major story leading up to and during 2021 NBA Playoffs. A number of the game's biggest stars have had to deal with a variety of illnesses during this short campaign. The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers were favorites to meet in Finals. However, both teams saw their hopes of winning the title largely dashed by attrition.Check out the updated 2021 NBA Playoff bracket to see how both the Suns and Bucks got there.ADVERTISEMENT2021 NBA Playoff BracketNBA Playoff Bracket 2021 NBA.comEven the teams that made it this far aren't in the best of health and still have to deal with problems leading up the Finals. Chris Paul, the favorite to win the Finals MVP award, missed a pair games in the Western Conference Finals because of a positive coronavirus testing. Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined from the Eastern Conference Finals second half.Fans and bettors will have to keep an eye out for updates on Antetokounmpos' health leading up to the NBA Finals. Two-time league MVP, Antetokounmpos, was injured in his left knee and had to be able to see from the bench as his team won consecutive games without him reaching the Finals for the first time since 1974.ADVERTISEMENTBen Golliver tweeted Bucks Coach Mike Budenholzers most recent statement regarding Antetokounmpos recoveryAccording to reports, Antetokounmpo could have been available for a return to court if the Atlanta Hawks had been able force a Game 7. If necessary, that contest was scheduled to take place on Monday. The Bucks' superstar should be back in the NBA Finals game on Tuesday according to the schedule. However, it is still unknown if the injury will affect the 26-year old.NBA Finals 2021 ScheduleGame 1: Tuesday July 6th, Milwaukee at Phoenix, 9 p ET, ABCGame 2: Thursday, 7/08/2008, Milwaukee at Phoenix, 9 p ET, ABCGame 3: Sunday July 11th, Phoenix at Milwaukee, 8 p ET, ABCGame 4: Wednesday July 14th, Phoenix at Milwaukee, 9 p ET, ABCGame 5: Saturday July 17th, Milwaukee at Phoenix, 9:00 ET, ABC*Game 6: Tuesday July 20th, Phoenix at Milwaukee. TBD, ABC*Game 7: Thursday July 22nd, Milwaukee at Phoenix. TBD, ABC*ADVERTISEMENT*If necessaryMilwaukee will not be able to compete for the championship without Antetokounmpo. However, the team was able to make it through the Easts bracket of the NBA Playoff bracket thanks to the contributions of other players. Veteran swingman Khris Midton has been the Bucks' most important player during this Bucks run. He has been at his best during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Middleton averages 23.4 points per game, 8.0 rebound, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals. He also scored a team record 32 points in his last game.Middletons' ability to heat up at one point in Game 6, he scored 16 consecutivepoints, which was a scorching stretch that got the Bucks into Finals. Antetokounmpo's pressure will be taken off by Middletons 2 weapon. Bookmakers took notice of Middletons's amazing performances and offered +650 odds that he would win the MVP award in this series. These odds place him above all other contenders, including Paul, Antetokounmpo, and Devin Booker.ADVERTISEMENTBooker is a 24-year-old who has made a huge impact on the postseason. He has scored an impressive 27 points in his 16 career playoff games. This has been the offensive spark Phoenix needed to reach the Finals for nearly three decades. Although he has had his moments, including against the Los Angeles Clippers' defense in the conference finals. He shot just 37.1% from field during the series, Booker still has the talent to lead his franchise to its first ever Finals title.Booker has a better chance of winning individual hardware than his teammate CP3 with +270 Finals MVP odds. Paul finally got a chance at a title after 16 seasons of the league. He was the leader that this young team needed to transform its incredible talent into winning production. The future Hall of Famer also turned the tide during his first season in desert. At times, he looks almost unstoppable on the court. Paul nearly single-handedly drove Phoenix to the Finals on Wednesday with a 41 point win. He looks poised for Milwaukee to continue that momentum.ADVERTISEMENTBelow is a complete list of players who have a chance to win Finals MVP.NBA Finals 2021 MVP OddsChris Paul +170Devin Booker +270Giannis Antetokounmpo - +350Khris Middleton: +650Jrue Holiday: +1000Deandre Ayton +2500Mikal Bridges: +2000Brook Lopez: +13000Keep checking back for updates about the NBA Finals line movement. We will also be taking a deeper dive into the prop bets for this series and making predictions as to who will win this year's championship. You can also find detailed previews and predictions for each game during the 2021 NBA Finals. They will be starting Monday with Game 1.
