The Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of a tight playoff race for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn can’t afford to lose any more games, but they will have their hands full on Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee. The Bucks are the best team in the Eastern Conference, and they have dominated the Nets all season long. Milwaukee is 3-0 against the Brooklyn Nets this season, including a 131-121 victory in Brooklyn earlier this week.
Brooklyn was not supposed to contend for a playoff spot this season, but they have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA. The Nets come into this game with a record of 39-40, which puts them in a tie for 7th place in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn has lost four of their last five games and will have to turn things around if they are going to make it into the playoff field. Milwaukee has been playing consistently great basketball all season long, and they will be the number one seed in the East. The Bucks bring a 59-20 record into this game, and they have won six of their last seven games. Milwaukee is a -8.5 point favorite in this game against Brooklyn.
Bucks Offense Continues to Roll
The Milwaukee Bucks have had to deal with a ton of key injuries of late, but it hasn’t slowed them down on the offensive end of the floor. Milwaukee has led the NBA in scoring almost the entire season, and come into this contest averaging 118.1 points per game. The Bucks aren’t the biggest team in the league, but they lead the league 49.6 rebounds per game. Milwaukee is still playing without point guard Malcolm Brogdon, but that hasn’t kept them from putting up points in a hurry.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is having the best season of his young career, and could very easily be named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA later this month. The “Greek Freak” leads the team with 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Even though the Bucks already have the top seed in the East locked up, don’t expect him to sit out this game. Small forward Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe have combined for more than 30 points per game, and should have another sold game against a struggling Nets team.
Young Nets Growing Up Fast
The Brooklyn Nets have been preparing for the future, but their young roster has a chance to be a playoff team this season. The Nets haven’t been handling the pressure very well of late, but they are just a few wins away from a playoff berth. Brooklyn is averaging 112.0 points per game this season, but is giving up 112.6 points per night. Shooting guard Allen Crabbe is out for the remainder of the season for the Nets, but otherwise they are healthy for this stretch run.
Point guard D’Angelo Russell has resurrected his career with the Brooklyn Nets after suffering a rough ending in Los Angeles. Russell leads the team with 21.1 points and 6.9 assists per game and is playing at an All-Star level. Spencer Dinwiddie has been a force off the bench this season, and has chipped in with 17 points per game. The Nets don’t usually have a problem putting points on the board, but they are going to have to play some defense in this game.
Nets Keep This One Close
The Nets desperately need this victory, and it doesn’t really mean much to the Bucks. Brooklyn has been surprising teams all season long, and they will do it again on Saturday night. Milwaukee might still come away with the win at home, but the Nets are gonna battle throughout. Take the 8.5 points and bet the Brooklyn Nets over the Milwaukee Bucks in this game.