Bucks vs. Nets Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

June 15, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference postseason action will resume on Tuesday night with the Nets and Bucks set to square off for a pivotal Game 5 at 8:30 Eastern Time on TNT.

Bucks vs. Nets Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern Conference Playoffs
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Barclays Center
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Date: Tuesday, June 1415 2021
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Bucks vs. Nets

Subject to Change

Spread: Bucks -4.5
Money-Line: Milwaukee -190, Brooklyn +170
Total: 217.5

After dropping back-to-back contests on the road in Games 3 and 4, the Nets return to Barclays Center for Game 5 as a 4.5-point underdog against the visiting Bucks – tagging the home team as a ‘dog in a second straight matchup.

The total for Tuesday’s event has fallen to OU 217.5, which is at least 10 points lower than the previous four numbers set in this series – exhibited by the totals in Games 1 through 4 being set at an average mark of OU 235.5.

The Nets look to bounce back from consecutive losses in Milwaukee as the series heads back to Brooklyn for Game 5. (AP)

Bucks vs. Nets Current Form

Despite James Harden exiting during the dawning moments of this second-round series, its first matchup still belonged to the Nets at home – as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant seemed to effortlessly fill the superstar’s scoring void in the event by knocking down half of Brooklyn’s field goals at a 45% mark (23-51 FGA).

Giannis Antetokounmpo played phenomenal for Milwaukee in Game 1, as the two-time MVP racked up 34 points on 67% from the floor during the loss.

His supporting cast didn’t provide much help throughout the event though, as Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday combined for just 30 points on 13-of-42 from the field – practically negating Antetokounmpo’s magnificent outing.

Game 2 was like Groundhog’s Day for Milwaukee’s superstar, as again Giannis received very little support during the Bucks’ second loss of the series – highlighted by Middleton and Holiday combining for just 30 points on 13-of-30 from the floor in the event.

Milwaukee never really stood a chance in Game 2 though – considering Brooklyn set a franchise-record for made three-pointers in a playoff game during the blowout (21) and did it at an extremely efficient clip (50%).

The Bucks responded with a pair of their own home victories in the following two matchups – as a horrid shooting performance from Brooklyn in Game 3 and Kyrie’s devastating ankle injury in Game 4 has deadlocked this series at two games apiece as we head into Tuesday’s fifth matchup at the Barclays Center.

Bucks vs. Nets Head-to-Head

Jun. 13, 2021 - Bucks 107 vs. Nets 96, Milwaukee +2, Under 229
Jun. 10, 2021 - Bucks 86 vs. Nets 83, Brooklyn +3.5, Under 234
Jun. 7, 2021 - Nets 125 vs. Bucks 86, Brooklyn +2, Under 238
Jun. 5, 2021 - Nets 115 vs. Bucks 107, Brooklyn -3.5, Under 239.5
May 4, 2021 - Bucks 124 vs. Nets 118, Milwaukee -3, Under 243
May 2, 2021 - Bucks 117 vs. Nets 114, Milwaukee -2.5, Under 242.5
Jan. 18, 2021 - Nets 125 vs. Bucks 123, Brooklyn +4, Over 239.5

Milwaukee picked up wins in two of three regular-season matchups against Brooklyn this year – with at least one member of the Nets’ “Big Three” being absent in all those affairs.

The first matchup between these teams took place just a few days after Harden was traded to Brooklyn, and The Beard managed to exceed expectations during his first big game in a Nets’ uniform – scoring 34 points on 13-of-25 from the floor to seal a two-point victory for his new team.

The following set of events took place without Harden towards the beginning of May though and resulted in a pair of home wins for Milwaukee – as the Bucks escaped with two victories by an average of 4.5 points behind back-to-back monster performances from Antetokounmpo (42.5 PPG, 48% FG).

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

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 52-28 SU, 36-44 ATS, 43-36-1 OU
Road: 22-18 SU, 16-24 ATS, 19-19 OU

After entering last Thursday’s Game 3 staring down the barrel of a potential three-game deficit against the Nets, Milwaukee (-140) managed to emerge from weekend’s shadows as the favorite in this second-round matchup – and rightfully so, depending on the severity of Irving and Harden’s injuries.

Brooklyn Nets Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 54-27 SU, 45-36 ATS, 43-38 OU
Home: 33-8 SU, 24-17 ATS, 22-19 OU

Before the start of the postseason, there appeared to be very little separation among the top contenders vying to take home this year’s title – with Brooklyn coming in as a moderate favorite at +250 odds, but still a considerable amount of love getting dished out to longshot contenders such as the Clippers (+600), Sixers (+750), and Bucks (+950).

After blowing out Milwaukee by an average of 23 points in Games 1 and 2 though, the Nets (+110) emerged as the undisputed favorite to take home this year’s title in the dawning moments of the second-round – considering the Clippers (+1600) had already fallen into an 0-2 hole against Utah, and most books still weren’t taking the Sixers (+1000) seriously at the given time.

Despite Harden and Irving’s injuries, the Nets (+260) are still the league-wide favorites after dropping Games 3 and 4 in Wisconsin – but unlike before, Vegas is now showing a generous amount of consideration to the other participants in the playoff pool, with the Jazz (+340), Suns (+375), Bucks (+450), and Sixers (+600) all receiving relatively respectable odds heading into Tuesday night.

Key Injuries

Milwaukee Bucks

SG Donte DiVincenzo: Foot - Out

Brooklyn Nets

SG James Harden: Hamstring - Out
PG Kyrie Irving: Ankle - Out

Bucks vs. Nets Player Prop Best Bet

Kevin Durant – To Score 40+ Points (+205)

Although he has posted 40 or more points in just one matchup this postseason, Durant has managed to score 30 points in five of the Nets’ first nine playoff outings – with at least one of his superstar counterparts accompanying him in all nine of those events.

I’ll back KD to erupt in Game 5 here, as the Nets will probably be forced to desperately lean on their lone superstar for offensive production in this event due to Harden and Irving’s otherwise dooming absences.