Free NBA Pick: Bucks vs. Nets NBA Odds
Looking for Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Bucks taking on the Nets on Saturday, June 5th, 2021 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Bucks Nets matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 2
(0-0) Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets (0-0)
Date: Saturday, June 5th, 2021
Time: 7:30 EST
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
NBA Moneyline Odds: Bucks +150 | Nets -160
NBA Betting Odds: Nets -4
NBA Betting Total: 239.5
Round two of the Eastern Conference tips off Saturday with the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets launching what could be a classic series in the making.
In three games this season the Bucks took two with Kyrie Irving out for the Nets’ lone victory and James Harden missing two of three meetings.
Opportunity is knocking given Joel Embiid’s injury and subsequently, the increased potential for the winner of this series to reach the NBA Finals.
The NBA is a trendy league and this series could affect the future direction of the NBA. If the Bucks can limit the offensive brilliance of the Nets or win then the importance of two-way ability will rule. Conversely, a quick Bucks oust would likely result in a shift to prioritize offense.
Milwaukee Bucks
While the Nets are still discovering how good they can be, the Bucks appear to be clicking on all cylinders. They swept the Heat avenging their loss to Miami in the Disney bubble.
That fact shouldn’t be glossed over because Miami closed the season on a 12-4 run beating elite clubs like the Celtics, 76ers, and Nets.
No team is going to shut down the offensive juggernaut Nets but the Bucks have the personnel and defensive schemes to limit Brooklyn’s effectiveness.
In Round 1, the Bucks possessed the top-ranked defense dropping a Heat team with a 110.6 offensive season rating to the worst in the postseason (95.4). Additionally, Miami’s top ten regular season defense had no answer for Milwaukee (115.0 points).
Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 23.5 points, 15 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.8 steals facing elite defender Bam Adebayo. Although Kevin Durant can offer above-average defense it’s not likely Steve Nash wants to task him with that challenge.
Jrue Holiday proved he was worth the investment relegating Jimmy Butler essentially ineffective also averaging 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 2.3 steals. He’ll be tasked with defending Irving or Harden or shift back and forth to the hot hand.
Khris Middleton averaged 21.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and shot 40.7 percent from the perimeter and should be more productive against the less defensively adept Nets.
The question marks will be how Brook Lopez and PJ Tucker fare particularly defensively. Tucker could offer a small-ball lineup for Mike Budenholtzer with Giannis or Tucker defending KD.
As for x-factors, the loss of Donte DiVincenzo hurts defensively while 3-point bomber Bryn Forbes is feasting (48.5%). However, he’ll be a sieve defensively so utilizing him strategically is key.
Brooklyn Nets
That the Big 3 has only played 15 games together speaks to how insane this Nets offense is particularly when you add in all the other firepower on Brooklyn such as 3-point snipers Joe Harris, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Johnson.
Not surprisingly, the Nets arrive with the top-ranked playoff offense (128.0 points). Yet, clearly, the question mark centers on their defense.
Despite not having Jaylen Brown (24.7 ppg) and missing Kemba Walker for two games the Celtics increased their scoring over their regular-season output.
Kevin Durant averaged 32.6 points and 7.4 rebounds shooting 50.0% from deep. Irving averaged 24.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and shot 38.9% from deep.
As spectacular as KD and Irving performed versus Boston James Harden was arguably the most important Nets player. Harden averaged a double-double of 27.8 points and 10.6 assists with 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and shot a blistering 47.5% from deep in Round 1.
Joe Harris offers another offensive weapon averaging 13.4 points on 51.5% from deep. However, the loss of Jeff Green at least for the start of the series dramatically impacts Brooklyn.
While DeAndre Jordan could get dusted off to spend time on Lopez, it’s more likely sophomore Nicolas Claxton gets called upon to offer resistance to a more pressing problem — limiting Antetokounmpo.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Bucks are 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Bucks are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets NBA Prediction:
In three meetings, Antetokounmpo averaged 39.6 points and 10.6 rebounds while Middleton (24.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.6 steals) and Holiday (21 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists) produced above their season averages.
Similarly, KD averaged 34.6 points and 9.3 rebounds shooting 52 percent from deep (13 of 25) while Irving averaged 29 points and shot 40% from deep. In his one game, Harden scored 34 points and dished 12 dimes.
There is also the whole Harden – Antetokounmpo history of pettiness, but I’ll save that for next time.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Bucks +4
While 3-point shooting will be a factor it’s more likely paint scoring and rebounding will have a greater impact.
Brooklyn struggled to stop Boston despite Brown being out and Walker missing action. Facing the likes of Antetokounmpo, Holiday, Lopez and Connaughton could be the key for Milwaukee to gain an edge.
Milwaukee averaged 59 boards per contest in Round 1 compared to Brooklyn’s 41.6 rebounds. Protecting the ball will be a priority given both clubs can capitalize on fast-break scoring opportunities.
This should be a long series with coaching in the spotlight as Budenholzer attempts to show growth in that particular area and Nash in his inaugural season. That factor could give a slight edge to Milwaukee in Game 1 as they’re rested and had the decided advantage of watching the end of the Nets – Celtics series.
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