The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Brooklyn Nets for Game 3 of this best-of-seven playoff series. It’s time to continue our NBA Playoffs odds series and make a Nets-Bucks Game 3 prediction and pick.
Brooklyn capitalized on their home court advantage and took the first two games of this series in convincing fashion. The Nets have dominated the Bucks without James Harden on the floor, which has to have Bucks fans sweating bullets right now. Truthfully speaking, Brooklyn has a chance to clinch this series with a win in Game 3.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Nets-Bucks Game 3 odds.
NBA Odds: Nets-Bucks Game 3 Odds
Brooklyn Nets +3.5 (-110)
Milwaukee Bucks -3.5 (-110)
Over 234 Points (-110)
Under 234 Points (-110)
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Brooklyn Nets couldn't be in a better spot right now. They are up 2-0 in this series and now have an opportunity to rest James Harden after he went down in Game 1. Brooklyn fans were holding their breath when Harden went down just 43 seconds into the series opener, but their team responded in a big way. It is shocking to watch how easily the Nets have controlled this series against a juggernaut in the Milwaukee Bucks.
Brooklyn controlled Game 2 from the opening tip as they won the opening frame by a score of 36-19. They ended up securing a 125-83 victory thanks in large part to the dominant performance turned in by Kevin Durant. The Nets star forward led the way with 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting and four made three's. Kyrie Irving tagged along with 22 points of his own and four made three's as well.
The Nets shot the absolute lights out of the gym in Game 2. They connected on 50% of their 42 three-point attempts, which was the ultimate difference maker. Brooklyn held Milwaukee to just eight makes from beyond the arc, which gave them a 39-point advantage from deep. The Nets bench provided great depth and if they can do that again in Game 3, this series is over.
Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread
The Milwaukee Bucks have their backs up against the wall as this series heads to Wisconsin. They lost the first two games in Brooklyn and are in danger of losing this series in Game 3. No team has ever come back down 3-0 in the playoffs and it's hard to believe that they could be the first against this potent Nets squad.
Many were shocked to see the Bucks come out so flat in Game 2. The Bucks were expected to attack the paint more often in the second game as it's clear that you can't go tit-for-tat with the Nets from deep. Milwaukee didn't do that at all and attempted just nine free throws in the entirety of Game 2. We have to give some credit to the Nets defensive effort as well, but Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged over nine free throw attempts per game alone during his postseason career.
The Greek Freak has played well in this series despite a somewhat underwhelming performance in the second game. The Bucks are on the streets of Milwaukee searching for Kris Middleton as it's clear that he hasn't shown up for either of the first two games. Middleton is shooting 30% from the field and 23% from deep in the series this far. The only way that they will win this game is if they absolutely abuse the Nets in the paint and outscore them by at least 30 points down there.
Final Nets-Bucks Game 3 Prediction & Pick
After backing the Bucks in Game 2, it's hard to ride with them through this rough spell. I am going to stick with Milwaukee and predict a big win at home to stay in this series. Milwaukee has been the better defensive team this season and has a huge edge in the interior. With no James Harden again in Game 3, the Bucks have one less weapon to worry about and will simply have to clamp down on Durant and Irving. That's easier said than done, but I have to believe that the defensive intensity and physicality will be there for the Bucks. Milwaukee was also the best offensive team in the league this season and will get back to controlling the tempo in this game. Just remember, what happened in the Miami series was not a fluke.
FINAL NETS-BUCKS GAME 3 PREDICTION & PICK: Milwaukee Bucks -3.5 (-110)
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