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Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Struggling Contenders Square Off

The Milwaukee Bucks open the second half when they play host to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night. Defending NBA champion Milwaukee is fourth in the East heading into Saturday, while Brooklyn is currently eighth in the conference standings, having dropped eight of its last 10. This one is key for both teams, so here’s a closer look at how to bet online on this contest.

Nets Playing Waiting Game

The trade that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Ben Simmons has yet to bear any fruit of the former All-Star guard for the Brooklyn Nets, who are still waiting for Simmons to make his debut. He won’t play in this one, and neither will Kevin Durant, who is out with a knee injury. Durant is averaging 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, but he hasn’t played since Jan. 15.

Kevin Durant dribbles up court Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks
Dustin Satloff/Getty Images/AFP

The Nets will have guard Kyrie Irving, as he can play on the road while unvaccinated. Irving is averaging 24.1 points per game and has averaged 29.0 points over his last three outings, though Brooklyn is just 4-10 in games he’s played in, including losses in the last eight.

Brooklyn may get a boost with the debut of guard Goran Dragic, who signed with the team recently. Dragic has played in just five games this season with Toronto and none since November, but he can be a solid shooter and playmaker when he’s going well.

Another player involved in the Harden-Simmons deal, center Andre Drummond, will need to have a good game in this one. Drummond is averaging 9.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in his four games since the trade, and he’ll be facing a very long front line for the Bucks.

Bucks Look To Turn Things Around

The Milwaukee Bucks went into the All-Star break having dropped three of four, including a showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers at home in their last game. Milwaukee needs to turn it around, and it will rely on its two All-Stars to do that.

Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.4 points to rank second in the NBA and 11.2 rebounds to rank seventh in the league. He will be a key in this one, as he has had his way with the Nets this season, averaging 31.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in two meetings.

The Bucks are also looking for more from All-Star forward Khris Middleton, who had a rough outing in the loss to Philadelphia. Middleton is averaging 19.4 points and had 19 in the setback, but he shot 2-for-12 from 3-point range in a three-point loss.

“Very frustrating,” Middleton said about his performance. “That’s how these games go sometimes. You’ve just got to trust and keep shooting when I’m open, keep being aggressive.”

Milwaukee is counting on guard Jrue Holiday on both ends of the floor in this one, especially against the solid guard play of the Nets. Holiday is averaging 18.1 points and 6.6 assists this season, but it will be his play on the defensive end against Irving and Dragic that can make the most impact.

Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks Head-to-Head

The Milwaukee Bucks have won the first two meetings between these teams after eliminating the Brooklyn Nets from the playoffs a year ago. Milwaukee won at home by 23 points against the Nets in their regular-season opener, then won by 12 in Brooklyn in early January.

Antetokounmpo should have a big game in this one again, so betting his player props is worth looking into as well as the Bucks to win when you’re doing your online sports betting.

Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks Game Information

Game: Brooklyn Nets (31-29) at Milwaukee Bucks (36-24)

Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee

Day/Time: 8:30 pm ET

Television: ABC

Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks Betting Lines

Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks Prediction

The Milwaukee Bucks want to get off to a fast start to the second half of the regular season in an attempt to catch the Chicago Bulls in the Central Division. Look for a spirited effort from the defending champions in this one.

The Brooklyn Nets have some ground to make up in the East, but they need to have their full lineup together to do that. The Nets will have trouble keeping up with the Bucks from the start in this one.

When making your NBA picks, take the Bucks to win and cover at home.

Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -9½ (-110)

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