Disclaimer: First Round is already done in writing this. Game 2’s had been played in the Second Round.

Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks II

For the 2022 NBA Finals I have a rematch between the defending NBA Champions Milwaukee Bucks and the runner up Phoenix Suns.

Would it be a repeat? Or revenge?

I think it would be a revenge story.

Just like the 2021 NBA Finals the Phoenix Suns have the homecourt advantage. But the difference is that the Phoenix Suns got this year’s playoff homecourt advantage is established after the season ended as they have the best record in the league. The Suns let the league know they are the team to beat, and they are gunning for the NBA Championship that they lost a year prior. They kept their core and also improve their game.

We can say the same thing with the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks as they kept most of their core and get assets of role players. They kept their similar #3 seed in the Eastern Conference just like last year.

But the one that made a significant leap based on the season is the Phoenix Suns and we can see that with having the best record in the league.

Now let’s compare both teams Offensive and Defensive Rating from last year and this year.

Offensive Ratings:

In last year’s NBA Season, the Phoenix Suns had the 5th best Offensive Rating with 117.2. While eventual champions the Milwaukee Bucks has the 6th best Offensive Rating with 117.2. Both teams are actually tied.

This season the Milwaukee Bucks made a leap to become the 3rd best Offensive Rating with 115.1 points, but actually lower compared to last year. While the Phoenix Suns leapt to become the 4th best Offensive Rating with 114.6 points. Same with the Bucks, the Suns rating points dropped.

Defensive Ratings:

In last year’s NBA Season, the Phoenix Suns had the 9th Best Defensive Rating with 111.3. While the defending champions, Milwaukee Bucks, has the 10th Best Defensive Rating with 111.4. Both team that year were close just as their Offensive Ratings.

This season the Phoenix Suns had the 3rd Best Team Defensive Rating with 107.3 points. A big leap from being the 9th and 4 points better from last year. While the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks, dropped to the 14th Best Team Defensive Rating this year. A slight 0.5 points dip from last year.

The greatly improved Defensive Rating shows the Phoenix Suns were working from their shortcomings from last year with Mikhail Bridges Defensive Player of the Year nomination. Add in having the best record in the league that secures the homecourt advantage throughout the post-season, the Suns are focus and coming in to make a statement and they can finish it this time with a Larry O’Brien trophy against the defending champions. Defense wins championships.

It would be a hard-fought series with both teams winning at home. SUNS in 7!

#NBAPlayoffs #PhoenixSuns #MilwaukeeBucks #2022NBAFinals #Sunsin7