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We are in the final stretch of the regular season NBA fans! With less than two weeks to go before the postseason is finally upon us, the resurgent Milwaukee Bucks will travel to the Big Apple to take on the play-in-worthy Brooklyn Nets. It’s about that time to continue our NBA odds series, which includes our Bucks-Nets prediction and pick.
The Bucks enter the final handful of their regular-season slate with this critical matchup against the Nets, as Milwaukee needs every win they can get before the playoffs roll around. Milwaukee enters Thursday’s contest at 47-28, trailing Miami by only one game for the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks are hitting their stride at the perfect time, as they are 7-3 in their previous ten matchups.
As for Brooklyn, the mystery behind them continues. Sitting at four games above .500 at 40-36 and in the 8th place spot in the playoff picture, the Nets are a major question mark. No doubt, Brooklyn has talent galore within their roster, but it appears at times that they don’t always seem to gel. However, with Kyrie Irving able to play at Barclays Arena again, the Nets are looking to build some consistency in their game-to-game starting lineup. Brooklyn is coming off a 130-123 victory over the Pistons on Tuesday. The Nets came out victorious in their last meeting with Milwaukee, prevailing by a score of 126-123 on Feb. 27th. This will be the fourth meeting overall this season between Milwaukee and Brooklyn.
Here are the Bucks-Nets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Bucks-Nets Odds
Milwaukee Bucks: +1.5 (-110)
Brooklyn Nets: -1.5 (-110)
Over: 242.5 (-112)
Under: 242.5 (-108)
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Why the Bucks Could Cover the Spread
Does Giannis Antetokounmpo have what it takes to make a run at his second MVP award in the concluding games of the season? He’s definitely done himself a favor over the last 10 games he has suited up for, as the Greek Freak is averaging an eye-popping 34.3 PPG during that time. Not to mention, Giannis is coming off a clutch performance in a hard-fought win against the Sixers. The 6’11 power forward dropped 40 points on 66% shooting including a game-sealing block on fellow MVP candidate Joel Embiid as the buzzer sounded. The Buck’s stellar play of late has been a result of Giannis seemingly kicking it into high gear, as he will be the reason again if the defending champs can come out with a win versus the Nets and even cover the spread all at once.
Ranking within the top-five of offensive efficiency with their 114.9 PPG and also one of the league-leaders in limiting turnovers, the Bucks play a brand of basketball that will physically exhaust you by the game’s end. Milwaukee is no slouch when out on the road, as their 21-16 visiting record puts them in the upper half of Eastern Conference squads. Despite losing their last meeting versus the Nets, Brooklyn is a bunch that struggles defensively, especially in the rebounding department. The Bucks are 22-25 ATS this season.
Why the Nets Could Cover the Spread
Even with the Nets’ wrestling to find an identity on defense, there are no shortcomings on the offensive side of the court. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving finally at full strength and with the hope that Ben Simmons can return at some point during the playoffs from his injured back, there is some cautious optimism within the confines of Brooklyn. The Nets are 17-20 at home but expect them to present a much tougher matchup for road foes with Mr. Irving not missing any more action whatsoever. Brooklyn is going to have to put up the points in a hurry, as the Nets cannot afford to get in a shootout with a Bucks squad that has been sizzling from a shooting perspective.
The Nets are most likely going to be penciled in as a play-in tournament team, but you better believe that Steve Nash’s group is trying to get 100% right before the games increase in meaning that much more. Regardless of not necessarily hitting on their lofty pre-season expectations, the Nets could use this game as a springboard to build some much-needed confidence in the coming weeks ahead. Brooklyn will cover the spread if they can keep Milwaukee off the boards and generate turnovers, something that has been uncharacteristic of the Bucks all year long. The Nets are 20-25-2 ATS this season.
Final Bucks-Nets Prediction & Pick
If you were looking at this matchup before the season, many would’ve thought that these two Eastern Conference foes represented the best chance in their regions to reach the NBA Finals. Pre-season rankings are all talk, however, and Brooklyn hasn’t lived up to the hype that they achieved so effortlessly before the first game of the season was even in the books. Simply put, Milwaukee is a better, well-rounded group playing a game that is far more meaningful for them compared to the Nets, as the Bucks have a real opportunity in clinching home-court advantage throughout the entire Eastern Conference. Not only that, but the Bucks are considered underdogs, which gives bettors real value in siding with the champs from a season ago. Even with Kyrie back in the lineup, the Nets won’t have enough to overcome the surging Bucks. Milwaukee covers the +1.5 spread!
Final Bucks-Nets Prediction & Pick: Bucks +1.5 (-110)