After what feels like a long, grind of a season, the NBA Finals are here. The Milwaukee Bucks take on the Phoenix Suns. Here are some key numbers going into tonightโ€™s game. If you want the full data-deep-dive, we suggest heading over to nba.com.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have finally reached the pinnacle most pundits predicted theyโ€™d reach last season (and perhaps even the season before). Theyโ€™ve made the most out of beating up on banged teams. Now itโ€™s their turn as they enter tonightโ€™s game with Giannis Antetokounmpo a game time decision.

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 40.0 points during two 1-point losses to Phoenix this season.
  • Have been the best first-quarter team in the playoffs, outscored their opponents by 15.0 points per 100 possessions in the opening 12 minutes.
  • Lead the playoffs in both fast break points differential (+5.2 per game) and points in the paint differential (+12.1 per game). And 15.2% of their points, the playoffsโ€™ highest rate, have been second-chance points.
  • Have seen the biggest drop in points allowed per 100 possessions from the regular season (110.7, ninth) to the playoffs (105.0, first).
  • Rank 14th in free throw percentage (71.3%).
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the playoffs with 12.7 rebounds per game and 13 double-doubles. Heโ€™s grabbed 26.8% of available defensive rebounds while heโ€™s been on the floor. Antetokounmpo leads all players with 20.1 points in the paint per game, the highest playoff average for any player since Shaquille Oโ€™Neal averaged 21.6 points in the paint in 2000-01. Antetokounmpo also leads the playoffs with 49 dunks.

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The Phoenix Suns

Coming into tonightโ€™s game, the Suns are the healthier team (for now, at least). Devin Booker has blossomed nicely this season and Chris Paul has provided the steadiness, leadership, and general on-court brilliance. If they can stay healthy and play against a compromised Bucks title should be theirs for the taking.

  • Have been the best second-quarter team in the playoffs, outscoring their opponents by 13.5 points per 100 possessions in the second period. Theyโ€™re +12.0 per 100 in the first half of games and just +1.7 per 100 in the second half (much worse defensively), though theyโ€™re still 11-1 after leading at the half.
  • Have scored 1.28 points per possession in transition, the second best mark in the playoffs.
  • Have shot 86.2% from the free throw line, the best mark in NBA history for a team with at least 250 free throw attempts.
  • Defensively, Have seen the biggest drop in opponent effective field goal percentage from the regular season (53.4%, 10th) to the playoffs (49.8%, first).
  • Booker has shot 105-for-115 (91.3%) from the free throw line, the best mark among nine players with at least 75 attempts. Antetokounmpo has the worst mark (53.7%).
  • Booker ranks second in clutch usage rate, having used 44.8% of the Sunsโ€™ possessions (via field goal attempts, turnovers and trips to the line) when heโ€™s been on the floor with the score within five points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime. Heโ€™s 2-for-5 on clutch field goal attempts and 5-for-5 on clutch free throws, with one assist and all five of the Sunsโ€™ clutch turnovers.

SOURCE: nba.com


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