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Nets vs. Bucks Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
May 2, 2021
by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference NBA action will resume on Sunday afternoon with what could be a playoff preview between the Bucks and Nets during the lone matchup on ABC’s nationally televised slate.

So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the day’s top contests.

Nets vs. Bucks Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Nets vs. Bucks

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: Bucks -2.5
  • Money-Line: Milwaukee -135, Brooklyn +115
  • Total: 244

Brooklyn enters Sunday’s contest as a 2.5-point underdog against the homestanding Bucks – marking the eleventh consecutive game Milwaukee has been favored in.

The total for this event currently sits at OU 244, which is the third consecutive Nets’ game to have an over-under set above 240.


Jrue Holiday and the Bucks look to avenge a January loss to the Nets when the Eastern powers meet on Sunday. (AP)

Nets vs. Bucks Current Form-Last Game

The Bucks head into Sunday’s event after splitting their last four games – which includes victories over Charlotte and Chicago, and defeats at the hands of Atlanta and Houston across that span.

Milwaukee’s most recent affair resulted in a win over the Bulls, as six different Bucks’ players eclipsed double-digit scoring on the way to a 10-point victory during the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

On the flip side, Brooklyn had a four-game winning streak snapped by the Trail Blazers in their most recent matchup, as the Nets shot just 42% from the field and 32% from long-range during their 19-point loss to Damian Lillard and company.

Nets vs. Bucks Head-to-Head

  • Jan. 18, 26021 - Nets 125 vs. Bucks 123, Brooklyn +4, Over 239

Brooklyn and Milwaukee split a pair of matchups during last year’s regular season – with both of those contests easily staying under the total set for Sunday’s affair (average – 224 combined ppg.).

The most recent matchup between these teams went over the total set for this event though, as the Nets needed every bit of Kevin Durant and James Harden’s 64 combined points to pull off a one-possession victory over Milwaukee during the absence of Kyrie Irving.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Brooklyn Nets Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 43-21 SU, 33-31 ATS, 37-27 OU
  • Road: 18-13 SU, 17-14 ATS, 19-12 OU

The Nets are an undeniable force in this year’s Eastern Conference – currently sitting atop the standings with a record of 43-21, despite consistently being battered by injuries over the course of their campaign.

What’s even more impressive about Brooklyn’s achievements so far this year, is that they are finding success despite the extenuating circumstances they have faced – considering Irving, Durant, and Harden have all been forced to miss more than 15 games apiece due to injury concerns this season, which has led to Brooklyn’s big three only starting two games together since uniting back in January.

Betting the ‘over’ in Nets’ games has been one of the most profitable plays across the league this year – with the total going over at a 37-27 clip in matchups containing Brooklyn so far this season.

Make note though, the total has stayed 'under' in four of Brooklyn’s last six games.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 39-24 SU, 29-34 ATS, 36-26-1 OU
  • Home: 20-10 SU, 15-15 ATS, 20-10 OU

Antetokounmpo returned from a seven-game injury leave for the Bucks’ meeting with Atlanta back on April 15th. Milwaukee has relatively struggled since that matchup though, considering the Bucks are 5-4 SU during that span, despite being favored in all those contests.

Similarly to Brooklyn, betting the ‘over’ in Bucks’ games has been one of the most profitable plays in the Eastern Conference so far this year – with the total going over at a 36-26-1 clip in matchups containing Milwaukee this season.

That trend of high-scoring affairs appears to have fizzled out lately though – considering the total has stayed 'under' in four of the last five Bucks’ games.

Key Injuries

Brooklyn Nets

  • PG Bruce Brown: Knee - Probable
  • SF Nicolas Claxton: Quarantine - Probable
  • SG James Harden: Hamstring - Out

Milwaukee Bucks

  • SF Giannis Antetokounmpo: Ankle - Probable
  • SG Donte DiVincenzo: Toe - Probable

Nets vs. Bucks Player Prop Best Bet

Kevin Durant – Over 27.5 Points (-112)

Since returning from his most recent absence, Durant has posted 30-point performances in two of his last three contests – with KD’s lowest scoring output during that timeframe coming in a double-digit victory over the Raptors, which was a contest he still managed to shoot 5-7 from the floor in (36 minutes, 17 points).

I’ll back Durant to go over that number again here, as the Nets will likely need big nights from both healthy superstars to take down the Bucks in this one – and I trust KD to pull his weight for Brooklyn, regardless of the outcome.

Nets vs. Bucks Prediction

The Bucks head into Sunday’s contest following losses in two of their last four games, despite being favored in both of those defeats by five points or more.

Brooklyn had a four-game winning streak snapped by the Blazers in their most recent affair – which was an event the Nets were listed as a three-point underdog in, thanks to the absences of Durant and Harden.

I’ll back the Nets to bounce-back here, as Brooklyn is likely the straight-up, better team in this matchup – even without Harden on the floor.

Score Prediction: Nets 122, Bucks 114
Best Bet: Brooklyn +3

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