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The Brooklyn Nets will host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of this best-of-seven series. It’s time to continue our NBA Playoffs odds series and make a Bucks-Nets Game 1 prediction and pick.
The second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs kicks off with an exciting matchup at the Barclays Center. Milwaukee defeated the Nets in two of the three head-to-head matchup's to win the season series. With both teams healthy and clicking on all cylinders, which club will have the edge in this crucial first game?
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Bucks-Nets odds.
NBA Odds: Bucks-Nets Odds
Milwaukee Bucks +4 (-115)
Brooklyn Nets -4 (-105)
Over 239 Points (-110)
Under 239 Points (-110)
Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread
The Milwaukee Bucks made quick work of the defending Eastern Conference champions in the first round. Milwaukee was scoring at will and defending at a level that we haven't seem from them all season. The Bucks couldn't be more pleased to avenge their loss to Miami in last year's playoffs in a big way and now have a tough test on their hands in the second round.
There may not be another team that is more fit to take on the Nets in a seven game series. The Nets are an offensive juggernaut, but the Bucks were the best offensive team in the NBA this season. You can certainly argue that the Bucks are the stronger defensive team in this series as well. Milwaukee possessed the top-ranked defense in the first round and averaged 115 points per game in a dominant four-game sweep.
The argument can be made that although the Nets possess a lethal big three, the Bucks have the best player in this series in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak averaged 23.5 points, 15 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.8 steals in the first round. With Jrue Holiday, Kris Middleton, and the rest of the crew, Milwaukee is loaded for a deep postseason run and will face their toughest test in the second round.
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Brooklyn Nets finally have their big three together and they looked phenomenal in the first round against Boston. Brooklyn was the top-ranked offensive team in the first round, averaging 128 points per game. The Nets absolutely buried the Boston Celtics on the offensive end, but the lack of defensive production is concerning against a Bucks team that led the league in offensive output this season. All of the focus has to be on the big three heading into the first game of this series.
Kevin Durant led the way in the first round, averaging 32.6 points and 7.4 boards in the first round. He shot a whopping 50% from deep and provides the most defensive stability on this club as well. Kyrie Irving averaged 24.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and shot 38.9% from deep. James Harden has really embraced the point guard role for this club down the stretch. He averaged a double-double in the first round and showed a willingness to adapt to whatever his team needed. With guys like Joe Harris and Landry Shamet spreading the floor for the big three, the Nets have all of the tools offensively to shoot their way into the next round.
Final Bucks-Nets Game 1 Prediction & Pick
This should be one of the most exciting series of the postseason between two of the top teams in all of basketball. These teams matchup very well as they're both offensive juggernauts with defensive inefficiencies. Although we are all enamored with the Nets big three, the Bucks were the better offensive team this season. Milwaukee looked like a new team on the defensive end in the first round and should certainly carry that energy into this second round matchup. I give Milwaukee the edge in Game 1 as their formula for success in the first round seemed more sustainable.
FINAL BUCKS-NETS GAME 1 PREDICTION AND PICK: Milwaukee Bucks +4 (-115)
