19: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds

By Michael De Leon | Jan 01, 2021, 2:43am

Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets Preview

With just five games remaining on their schedule, barring a crazy collapse or Toronto Raptors run, the Milwaukee Bucks have seemingly locked up the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and they could have a first-round playoff preview tonight as they are on the road against the Brooklyn Nets, who are still fighting for their playoff lives.

The Bucks are 57-20 and have a three-game lead over the Raptors. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games, but enter tonight’s game having lost their last game. Brooklyn is 39-38 and currently sit at seventh in the East, just a half-game ahead of the Miami Heat and a full game in front of the Orlando Magic. The Nets won their last game and are 5-5 in their last 10.

The Bucks last faced off against the Nets on February 4. Milwaukee routed the Nets 113-94 with Giannis Antetokounmpo finishing with 30 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in a near triple-double. D’Angelo Russell led the Nets in the loss with 18 points and five assists.

TV Schedule

Date: 04/01/19
Time: 7:30pm ET
Arena: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Channel: FSWIS+, WWOR

Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup

PG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: Sterling Brown
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez

Bucks Analysis

With a win over the Brooklyn Nets tonight, the Milwaukee Bucks can clinch home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs.

The Bucks had a chance to clinch yesterday against the Atlanta Hawks, but without Giannis and Khris Middleton, the Bucks fell to the Hawks in overtime 135-136. Both players could play tonight.

“I think there’s a good chance that Giannis will play on this road trip,” Budenholzer said. “Him not playing (Sunday), for a lot of different reasons, makes sense and we’ll just evaluate him, give him another 24 hours, see how he’s feeling and make a decision again tomorrow.”

Without the Bucks’ all-star duo, several Bucks players stepped up but just could not get over the hump as Trae Young knocked in a three to win the game. Sterling Brown led the Bucks with 27 points and nine rebounds. Tim Frazier added 20 points and 15 assists and Brook Lopez finished with 19 points.

All five starters scored in double figures, but George Hill and Pat Connaughton were also big off the bench. Hill had 18 points and Connaughton had 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Bucks Quick Links: Bucks Starting Lineup, Bucks Roster, Bucks Depth Chart, Bucks Injuries, Bucks News, Bucks Schedule

Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineup

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Joe Harris
SF: Rodions Kurucs
PF: DeMarre Carroll
C: Jarrett Allen

Contents

Nets Analysis

Brooklyn Nets A loss to the Bucks tonight could really put the Nets behind the eight ball in terms of their postseason future, and while several teams will be using the last few games to polish certain areas, workout rotations or get minutes for younger players, the Nets will have to play the rest of the season with a playoff urgency.

“We know that all these games coming up are playoff games,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. “It’s just how we have to look at it. We’re in it. We can’t shy away from it. They’re all playoff games, but it was important to get this one.”

In their 110-96 win over the Celtics on Saturday, the Nets recovered from a slow start and outscored the Celtics the next three games.

D’Angelo Russell led the Nets with 29 points and 10 assists. Joe Harris and DeMarre Carroll added 13 points apiece and Caris Lavert scored 15 points off the bench.

Nets Quick Links: Nets Starting Lineup, Nets Roster, Nets Depth Chart, Nets Injuries, Nets News, Nets Schedule

Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets Betting Odds

The Bucks are one-point favorites to win tonight’s game on the road. Milwaukee is 25-14 on the road and 50-17 as the favorite. Brooklyn is 22-16 at home and 16-34 as the underdog.

The over/under is 229 points and the Bucks are -115 on the moneyline after opening at -145.

Odds & Line Movement Links: Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets, Vegas Odds (All NBA Games Today)

Legally Bet on Sports

Located in Pennsylvania or New Jersey? If so, you’re in luck. Sports betting is legal and available. If you haven’t signed up on an online sportsbook yet, there is free bonus money waiting for you. It’s free money for you to bet when you sign up and make a deposit. The top promo codes available are:FanDuel sportsbook promo code, DraftKings sportsbook promo code & Pointsbet promo code

Michael De Leon

Michael is Chief Editor at Lineups.com. He has decades of combined experience in traditional print journalism and online media and is the publisher of the Project Spurs Network, which includes 13 team-specific sports media sites and the flagship ProjectSpurs.com. He is also the creator of the first Spurs podcast and the longest-running sports podcast on the internet, the Spurscast, and was formerly the host of the News 4 San Antonio Sports Roundtable.