Brooklyn Nets (43-22 33-32 ATS) at Milwaukee Bucks (40-24 30-34 ATS)
The Bucks have won two in a row and they beat the Nets in their last game in what may be a preview of the Eastern Conference finals. This big Tuesday night game can be seen on national TV on TNT.
(This preview is posted for this Tuesday game before the trends and odds are out and check back, as they will be posted soon.)
With only several games left both of these teams are chasing the Philadelphia 76ers for the top spot in the East. The Nets are only a half a game back of Philly, who plays at Chicago on Monday, with the Bucks three games back.
The Nets have lost two in a row and they have some major question marks heading into the playoffs. James Harden (25.4 ppg 11 assists per game) has been out since the beginning of the month and looks to return soon but when? On top of that can the team get it done in the playoffs considering Harden, Kyrie Irving (26.8 ppg), and Kevin Durant (28.1 ppg) have only played a few games together?
The Bucks have won two in a row and three of four games and in their last game they were at home and beat the Nets 117-113 behind 49 points from reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (18.4 ppg 11.1 rpg). Milwaukee is the highest scoring team in the league, and this is the last game they face Brooklyn unless they meet in the playoffs, which is a distinct possibility.
Can’t Contain the Greek Freak
In their last game the Nets were on the road and lost the Bucks 117-113 where they shot the ball poorly and could not contain Antetokounmpo. For the game Brooklyn shot 42.7% from the floor and they allowed the Bucks to shoot 49%.
Durant went for 42 points in the loss on pretty solid shooting and Irving (20 points 8-21 from the floor) was the only other player that had more than 11 points.
Durant has scored 42 points on at least 48.5% shooting in his last two games while Irving has really been up and down as of late. He has totaled 48 points in his last two games but has been cold from beyond the 3-pt line as of late and in three of his last five games has failed to shoot over 38.1% from the field.
While the Nets are tied with two other teams for the most home wins in the league they are 18-14 on the road.
Defense Gets it Done
While the Bucks are known for their high-scoring offense their defense has been solid in the last two games holding their opponents to 38.5% and 42.7% from the floor, respectively in the last two games.
In the last win over the Nets Antetokounmpo was a force, Kris Middleton (20.4 ppg) had a double-double (26 points 11 rebounds), and Jrue Holliday (17.3 ppg) had 18 points.
Middleton has stepped up as of late averaging 27 ppg over his last three games.
The Bucks had lost the first game of the season against the Nets before beating them in their last game.
Prediction
Durant went huge in the last game but still could not out-duel Antetokounmpo. I look for the same thing to happen in this game. Milwaukee is at home again and they put in another solid performance against a Nets’ team that is only four games over .500 on the road. Take the Bucks to win and cover for the second straight game against Brooklyn.
PICK: Bucks