The Brooklyn Nets haven’t got off to the start they had hoped for, losing 2 of their opening 3 games, but have a chance to right that when they head to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks. Milwaukee has started the season 2-0 and once again looks like a serious NBA championship contender. But can Kyrie Irving and the Nets secure a statement win and prove that they deserve to be in that conversation too? Our NBA expert has picks, predictions and best bets for this matchup, so let’s break it all down.
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NBA Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks prediction
This should be a thrilling matchup with some of the NBA’s best talent on the court. Being at home will no doubt give Milwaukee the advantage, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Bucks likely to feed off the crowd’s energy. But Brooklyn will likely give them all they can handle, and this one could be close all the way.
Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks spread, odds & betting lines
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Point Spread: Nets +3.5, Bucks -3.5
Total Points Over/Under: 231 points
Money Line Odds: Nets +140, Bucks -165
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Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks expert picks
We’ve got 2 standout NBA picks for tonight’s game between the Nets and Bucks.
Nets vs Bucks point spread pick: Nets +3.5 (-110)
After suffering a 10-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, the 1-2 Brooklyn Nets travel to Milwaukee with hopes of handing the Bucks their first loss while getting back to .500 themselves. Through 3 games, there haven’t been many positives to take away from the Nets’ performances — getting blown out in their home opener as favorites to the Pelicans, barely walking away with a win against the Raptors, and allowing 134 points to the Grizzlies in a 10-point loss. It’s no secret that the Nets need to improve defensively. In 3 games, they’ve already allowed opposing teams to scored 130+ points twice, while Ja Morant and Desmond Bane went for 38 points apiece in the last game.
Meanwhile, the Bucks look ready to make another run at the NBA Finals, after recording a quality win over the 76ers in Philadelphia on opening night and a blowout win over the Rockets on Saturday. The Bucks will at least be well rested coming into tonight’s contest, but they are missing some key pieces such as Joe Ingles, Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo coming off a spectacular 44-point performance, going 5-1 ATS against Kevin Durant in the past 2 seasons and the Bucks going 19-5 against the Nets in their past 24 regular-season matchups, I like the Nets tonight.
Without Middleton, Ingles and Connaughton, the Bucks don’t have the type of firepower on the wing that the Pelicans and the Grizzlies, meaning Antetokounmpo is their main source of offense. In the preseason meeting 2 weeks ago, Ben Simmons did a phenomenal job guarding Antetokounmpo, allowing him to score just 24 points on 6-21 from the field. As long as Simmons can stay out of foul trouble, he could be the key to keeping this game close. I’m taking the Nets and the points tonight.
Nets vs Bucks Over/Under totals pick: Under 232 (-110)
Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton being sidelined has drastically changed the Bucks’ style of play, and they have fallen from 4th in pace last season all the way down to 26th this year. The Nets don’t play much faster, ranking 21st in pace despite running most of their offense through Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Given the slow pace and the fact the Bucks have the best defensive rating in basketball, points should be hard to come by.
The Nets have the worst defensive rating in basketball, but it’s slightly misleading. Their worst games defensively came against the Grizzlies and Pelicans, who both rank in the top 6 in offensive rating and have given fits to every team they’ve faced. The Bucks are lacking at the guard position, and that should benefit the Nets in a huge way. Look for this game to fall well below the posted total.
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