Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (2/28/23)

The Milwaukee Bucks visit the Brooklyn Nets in a big matchup. The Bucks are coming off a close win against the Suns, while the Nets are coming off a last-second loss to the Hawks. This should be an interesting matchup because it will be interesting to see if the Bucks can extend their 14-game winning streak. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets Betting Odds

The Milwaukee Bucks are 6.5-point road favorites against the Brooklyn Nets and are at -250 on the money line. The over/under is also at 230.5. It makes sense that the Bucks are favored here because Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming back to play in this game. The over/under also seems a little high because both teams are very good on the defensive end, especially on the perimeter. This spread should also stay where it’s at before tip-off.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets Prediction

The pick: Milwaukee Bucks -6.5

This is a pick based on how good the Bucks have been playing recently. They are on a 14-game winning streak and have just found ways to win.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been great for the Bucks this year and is the main reason why the Bucks have been as good as they are. He leads the Bucks in scoring and rebounding this year and is also in the running to be the MVP. Jrue Holiday has been great for the Milwaukee Bucks this year too. He’s the best on-ball defender in the NBA and is second on the Bucks in scoring, while also leading the team in assists and steals per game for the season. Brook Lopez has been great down low for Milwaukee and leads the team in blocks per game for the season. Bobby Portis has also been very good as a stretch forward for the Bucks too.

As a team, the Bucks excel more on defense than on offense this season. They are top five in points allowed at 111.2 points per game for the season, they’re first in rebounds per game at 49.3, and they’re top-12 in blocks per game for the season. They’re also top-10 in point differential in the league.

On the other side, the Brooklyn Nets have been adjusting to life without both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. There’s been ups and downs so far.

Mikal Bridges has been great and has become the best player for the Nets. He leads the team in scoring, since coming over. Cam Johnson has been very good and is the second-leading scorer for them. He also leads the team in steals per game for the season. Spencer Dinwiddie has also been great since coming over from the the Mavericks at the point guard position. Nic Claxton has also been able to provide some much needed help for the Nets down low.

As a team, the Nets are solid on both offense and defense. They’re second in field goal percentage at 50% and they’re first in blocks per game at 6.4 per game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo being back is a big difference-maker in this game. The Milwaukee Bucks have been great this year and are in the middle of a big winning streak. Expect the Bucks to cover, but this should be a great game for most of it.

Betting Trends

Bucks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Nets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.

Key Matchups

Can Dorian Finney-Smith matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo? Can Grayson Allen matchup with Mikal Bridges?

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Dorian Finney-Smith

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been MVP-worthy once again this year. He averages 31 points, 5 assists, and 12 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Dorian Finney-Smith most of the game, who averages 9 points, 2 assists, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. This is a big matchup to see if Finney-Smith can matchup with Giannis at all, with how good he’s been.

Mikal Bridges vs. Grayson Allen

Mikal Bridges has broken out in Brooklyn as a potential star. He averages 18 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Grayson Allen most of the game, who averages 11 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for the season. This is a big matchup to see if Allen can defend Bridges because if he can’t then Brooklyn’s going to have a much better chance here.

Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup

PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez

Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineups

PG: Spencer Dinwiddie
SG: Mikal Bridges
SF: Cameron Johnson
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Nicolas Claxton

Key Injuries

Milwaukee Bucks Injuries: SG Wesley Matthews (Calf) O, PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (Quad) P

Brooklyn Nets Injuries: PG Ben Simmons (Knee) O