Nets vs. Bucks Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

June 17, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference postseason action will resume on Thursday night with Milwaukee set to host Brooklyn for a crucial Game 6 at 8:30 Eastern time on ESPN.

Nets vs. Bucks Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern Conference Playoffs
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Fiserv Forum
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Date: Thursday, June 17, 2021
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Nets vs. Bucks

Subject to Change

Spread: Bucks -5.5
Money-Line: Milwaukee -220, Brooklyn +190
Total: 220

After coming from behind to win Game 5 in Brooklyn by six points, the Nets travel back to Wisconsin for Game 6 as a 5.5-point underdog against the Bucks at Fiserv Forum – marking the heftiest number either team has been favored by in this second-round series.

The total for Thursday’s event has fallen to OU 220, which is the lowest mark set for a matchup between these teams on the year.

James Harden (L) and the Nets look for their first road win of the series on Thursday at Milwaukee. (AP)

Nets vs. Bucks Current Form

Despite James Harden exiting during the opening 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 contest.

It’s hard to blame Milwaukee for getting blown out in Game 2 though – considering Brooklyn set a franchise-record for made three-pointers in a playoff game during the event (21) and did it at an extremely efficient clip (50%).

The Bucks courageously 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 left this series deadlocked at two games apiece heading into its pivotal fifth matchup.

Game 5 at the Barclays Center was all about the greatness of Durant though, as the 11-time All-Star exploded for 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists on roughly 70% from the field during the narrow come-from-behind victory – single-handedly pushing Milwaukee to the brink of elimination ahead of Thursday’s Game 6 at Fiserv Forum.

Nets vs. Bucks Head-to-Head

Jun. 15, 2021 - Nets 114 vs. Bucks 108, Brooklyn +1, Push 222
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)

Brooklyn Nets Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 55-27 SU, 46-36 ATS, 43-38-1 OU
Road: 21-19 SU, 21-19 ATS, 22-18 OU

Before Game 5, I thought Brooklyn didn’t stand a chance down the stretch of this series if Harden and Irving were both unable to get back on the floor. After the brilliant offensive performance Durant put on this past Tuesday at the Barclays Center though – I surely stand corrected.

Harden valiantly returned to Brooklyn’s lineup and battled through his lingering hamstring injury in Game 5 – but honestly, he might have been better off hanging with Kyrie on the sidelines, considering The Beard scored just five points on 1-of-10 from the field and led both teams in turnovers in the event (4).

There was no need to worry though, as Durant resorted to teaming up with Jeff Green to knock down 24 of Brooklyn’s 38 successful field goals at a 71% clip during the Nets’ six-point victory.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 52-29 SU, 36-45 ATS, 43-36-2 OU
Home: 30-10 SU, 20-20 ATS, 23-17 OU

After entering Game 3 staring down the barrel of a second-round sweep, the Bucks (-140) managed to emerge from its two-game home set as the slight favorite in this heading into Game 5 – and rightfully so, considering the prior obscurity concerning Irving and Harden’s respective injuries.

With Harden returning for Brooklyn’s impressive comeback victory in Game 5 though, Milwaukee’s series price has fallen back down to +180 heading into Game 6 – despite the Bucks (-220) being listed as a heavy favorite for Thursday’s matchup.

Key Injuries

Brooklyn Nets

PG Kyrie Irving: Ankle - Out

Milwaukee Bucks

SG Donte DiVincenzo Foot - Out

Nets vs. Bucks Player Prop Best Bet

James Harden – To Score 25+ Points (+800)

After sitting out the first four contests of this series with a hamstring injury, Harden finally returned to Brooklyn’s lineup in Game 5 and appeared to have some trouble knocking the rust off in his first game back – scoring just five points 10% from the field during the Nets’ thrilling victory at the Barclays Center this past Tuesday.

I’ll back the Harden to have a big night on the road here though, as the Beard averaged roughly 28 points per game in round-one against Boston with Kyrie on the floor – and I doubt Durant will continue to give Brooklyn 50 every night.