LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 30: Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns holds the Western Conference Championship trophy after the Suns defeated the LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center on June 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns just won the Western Conference Finals, and are now the betting favorites to win the 2021 NBA championship.
The Phoenix Suns are Western Conference champions for the first time since 1993 after they defeated the LA Clippers 130-103 in Game 6 on Wednesday night. Now, they are the first team to clinch a spot in the 2021 NBA Finals. While they await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks, the Suns do carry an advantage over both squads.
According to WynnBet, the Suns open up the 2021 NBA Finals as the favorites to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy with -215 odds.
Suns: Phoenix open up as the favorites to win the NBA Finals
The news does not necessarily come as a shock, considering when you look at both the Hawks and Bucks, they’re struggling with injuries to pivotal players. Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a hyperextended left knee in Game 4, while Trae Young is dealing with a deep bone bruise in his right foot. Both stars were ruled out for Game 5 on Thursday.
With the uncertainty surrounding both Antetokounmpo and Young, you can understand why the Suns are projected to win the Finals. Their stars are relatively healthy entering the Finals, with the lone exception being Devin Booker, who has a broken nose that has not forced him to miss any time.
Chris Paul is coming off a historic performance in Game 6, where he scored 41 points while shooting 16-for-24 from the field and 7-for-8 from 3-point range.
The Suns have made just two trips to the NBA Finals but lost both times. Phoenix is hoping that their third time will be the charm and they can call themselves NBA champions for the first time in franchise history.