The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Brooklyn Nets in a critical Game 4 of this best-of-seven playoff series. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Nets-Bucks prediction and pick.
The Bucks picked up a huge win in Game 3 following two straight losses to open the series in Brooklyn. The Nets have been without James Harden through the first three games and will be without him again in Game 4. Despite the absence of the Nets superstar, this team led by Steve Nash still looks to be a juggernaut that won't be stopped anytime soon. The Bucks are virtually in another must-win spot in this crucial Game 4 before the series shifts back to the Barclays Center.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Nets-Bucks odds.
NBA Odds: Nets-Bucks Odds
Brooklyn Nets -2 (-109)
Milwaukee Bucks +2 (-111)
Over 227.5 Points (-110)
Under 227.5 Points (-110)
Why The Nets Could Cover The Spread
The Nets did a great job of taking control of this series through the first two games and went into Milwaukee up 2-0. Brooklyn struggled to get anything going in Game 3 and dropped just 83 points in the loss. This was nothing more than an off night for a club that scored under 100 points just four times during the regular season. They were averaging 122.4 points per game during the postseason before the loss as well.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been in charge of this series through the first three games, and it's highly unlikely that they will be as inefficient as they were in Game 3. Irving and Durant collectively shot 20-of-50 from the floor in the loss, which is almost guaranteed not to happen in two straight games. With Joe Harris shooting just 1-of-7 from deep as well, this Nets team couldn't buy a bucket from guys who are nothing less than a walking bucket.
Despite all of the struggles, Brooklyn still had a chance to win. With all of these negatives, the Nets only lost by three points, which is a testament to their defensive efforts. If they bring that energy into Game 4, the Nets should have no problem bringing a 3-1 lead back to Brooklyn.
Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread
The Bucks finally put a focus on slowing the Nets down in Game 3. Milwaukee's offensive struggles are alarming to say the least, and it seems the only way to combat that is to add pressure on the other end. The Bucks have scored over 100 points just once through the first three games and should feel grateful to still have a chance in this series.
The Bucks score the majority of their points in the paint, and a lot of that is thanks to creating turnovers and getting out in transition. They are only scoring 9.7 points per game off of turnovers in this series, which they will have to improve on in Game 4. The top scoring team in the league this season has to find a way to exploit a bad defensive team in Brooklyn.
The Bucks got huge performances from Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 3, which is extremely promising to see. Middleton was really struggling to get anything going through the first two games, and his 35-point performance in Game 3 is what we're used to seeing from him. These two guys accounted for 79% of their team's offense in the win. If they can build on that, the Bucks will likely even the series.
Final Nets-Bucks Prediction & Pick
Although I want to believe that the talented Milwaukee Bucks will even the series and make things interesting down the stretch, I am not confident in their ability to do so. They have scored just 86 points twice in this series and have generally looked lost on offense. If they don't improve on that end, they will get buried by the Nets. KD, Kyrie, and Joe Harris will bounce back in a big way in Game 4. Brooklyn will take a 3-1 series lead back home.
FINAL PICK: Brooklyn Nets -2 (-109)
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