Suns vs. Bucks: The best Giannis prop bets for Game 6 of the NBA Finals

The Milwaukee Bucks are on a three-game winning streak, and it couldn't have come at a better time. After falling into an 0-2 hole on the road in Phoenix, the Bucks have rallied to take a commanding 3-2 lead in the 2021 NBA Finals, and can win their first title in 50 years at home on Tuesday night.

The catalyst for their success has been All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 32.2 points and 13.0 rebounds per game. Let’s examine the three best prop bets for Antetokounmpo heading into Game 6.

First Player to Score

Brook Lopez is an NBA veteran that has lost a bit of his athleticism over time but none of the competitive fire that makes him a fantastic teammate and team leader. One of the ways in which Lopez demonstrates his work ethic is on tip-offs, which he tries to win each and every time. Some players treat them nonchalantly, but Lopez gives every jump his all.

In the Finals thus far, Lopez has successfully won the opening tip four out of five tries. This is against Deandre Ayton, a tall, athletic center in his own right. Of those four jumps that Lopez has bested Ayton on, Giannis has gotten the ball to start the possession. Considering the dominant force Giannis has been and the clear directive to press the ball, there is a high likelihood that he will be the first player to take a shot.

Betting on the first player to score can be a bit of a spin of the roulette wheel, but if the Bucks have a better chance of first possession thanks to Lopez’ effort, each of their players may be offering better odds to score first than the odds imply. Let’s take the +380 on Giannis and bank on Lopez and the Bucks continuing the trend.

Pick: Yes (+380)

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Over/Under 32.5 points

Lest we forget, Antetokounmpo began the series in doubt of even playing as he recovered from his hyperextended left knee. An obvious athletic freak, he has rehabbed from that injury to take over this series and average 32.2 points per game. He is pushing the ball to the rim, and while free throw shooting is still a major issue, he isn’t facing rim protecting defense from anybody besides Ayton. The result is Giannis is having his best playoff series in his career, and is scoring early and often.

In Game 6 at home, there is zero reason to doubt the Bucks will call on Giannis to lead the way again. I like Giannis to hit this Over yet again.

Pick: Over 32.5 points (-113)

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Over/Under 12.5 rebounds 

Antetokounmpo is averaging 13.0 rebounds per game in this series, and has hauled in at least 12 board in four of five games. The shooting percentages in this series have actually been really good, and while there isn’t much reason to assume that will stop, if it does, Giannis will have even more opportunities to exert his size and strength on the glass.

Antetokounmpo has a chance to win his first championship and Milwaukee’s first in 50 years, and is going to go after every miss with reckless abandon. Take the Over.

Pick: Over 12.5 rebounds (-134)