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After an entertaining set of the 2021 NBA Playoffs Conference semi-finals, there are 4 teams left who can stake a claim to the Larry O'Brien trophy - the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks and LA Clippers. Each team took a different route to the conference finals, with the Phoenix Suns making it with ease after sweeping the Denver Nuggets, while the Bucks had to battle it out through seven games with the Brooklyn Nets.
With the conference finals underway, let's take a look at the chances of each team going all the way in the 2021 NBA playoffs.
2021 NBA Playoffs: Which team has the best shot at winning the title this season?
Out of the four remaining teams, only the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks have won a title. The Phoenix Suns have never won a ring, while the LA Clippers haven't even played in the NBA finals. The championship is going to be won by a team that very few fancied to even reach the conference finals.
With that said, let's take a look at the chances of each team winning the coveted trophy this year -
#4 - Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have been the surprise package for this year's playoffs, as they are the farthest thing away from modern era 'superteams'. Led by 22-year old point guard Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks have been the embodiment of teamwork and good coaching in the 2021 NBA playoffs.
The Hawks are coming off an easy series win against the New York Knicks and an upset of the no.1 seed Philadelphia 76ers. It's difficult to imagine, however, that they will get past the juggernaut that is the Milwaukee Bucks. The ESPN analytics model has given them a 2.5% chance of winning the championship, and we predict that their playoff journey will end with an exit in the conference finals.
#3 - LA Clippers
The LA Clippers probably would have been the favorites to win the championship if not for Kawhi Leonard's injury. However, they have been put in a precarious position following Leonard's knee problem, and will have to pull off a miracle to defeat the Phoenix Suns and advance to the finals in the 2021 NBA playoffs.
Paul George will have to step up, while role players like Reggie Jackson, Nicolas Batum and Marcus Morris will have to assume more responsibility. The LA Clippers getting past the Suns looks highly unlikely, and the ESPN model has given them a 16.1% chance of going all the way.
Also Read: Ben Simmons to Portland Trail Blazers: A boom or bust trade for both parties?
#2 - Phoenix Suns
Riding on stellar playoff runs by Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Phoenix Suns are a series win away from their first NBA finals appearance since 1993. Head coach Monty Williams has done a phenomenal job of coaching the roster, and every individual, from A-listers to role players, has delivered.
The Phoenix Suns are going to miss point guard Chris Paul for the second game of the series as well, after he was ruled out of Game 1 due to Covid-19 protocols. However, Devin Booker has taken up the dual role of being the team's primary playmaker and scorer in his absence, and it looks like Paul won't be a major miss until the time he is on the sidelines.
The ESPN NBA playoffs prediction model indicates that the Phoenix Suns have a 34.2% chance of winning-it-all. Our forecast is that the Suns will reach the finals, albeit it is difficult to say whether they'll be able to prevail over the team that comes out of the East.
#1 - Milwaukee Bucks
Out of all the teams remaining in the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks stand the best chance of winning the coveted Larry O'Brien trophy. The Bucks possess a two-way superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with an impressive supporting cast. Khris Middleton was a top-3 player in the Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets series, while Jrue Holiday is a threat on both ends from the guard position.
Throw in role players like Brook Lopez and PJ Tucker, and one could argue that the Milwaukee Bucks have the best team on paper out of the 4 teams. The Bucks should not have problems getting past the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference finals, and they will be strong favorites in the 2021 NBA playoffs finals as well.
ESPN's model suggests that the Bucks have a 47.2 % chance of winning the title, and we concur with them.
