Nets Favored To Snap Losing Skid Vs Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks (25-15 SU, 18-22 ATS) visit Barclays Centre for the first time since their dramatic Game 7 win in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinal. Brooklyn (24-12, 14-21-1) has lost four straight at home but still opened as 2.5-point favorites over Milwaukee.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

COVID-19 has hit the Bucks hard this week and the oddsmakers have adjusted, moving the point spread to Nets -5 as of Friday morning. The total also dropped a bit from the opener, sitting at 228 at the time of writing.

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Milwaukee News & Notes

The Bucks have lost two straight following a six-game winning streak, but it’s tough to be too hard on them for Wednesday’s defeat. Milwaukee was without Giannis Antetokounmpo, head coach Mike Budenholzer and several other regulars for its 117-111 loss to the Raptors, when the Bucks saw a 14-point lead slip away.

Budenhozler, forward Pat Connaughton and guards Grayson Allen and George Hill aren’t expected back after entering health and safety protocols this week, and shooting guard Jrue Holliday joined them on the COVID-19 reserve list Thursday. However, Antetokounmpo is considered probable to return after missing Wednesday’s contest with a non-COVID illness.

Milwaukee will also be a bit thinner in the front court after releasing DeMarcus Cousins on Thursday. The big man had 15 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes against the Raptors, but was averaging just 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 17 games for the Bucks. 

Brooklyn News & Notes

After forcing Kyrie Irving to sit out the team’s first 35 games of the season, the Nets got a spark from the star guard’s return Wednesday in Indiana. Irving played 32 minutes in his first action of the campaign, scoring 22 as Brooklyn snapped a three-game losing streak with a 129-121 victory over the Pacers.

Unfortunately for Irving and the Nets, New York City regulations prohibit unvaccinated athletes from playing in public venues, so he won’t be available tonight. Barclays Centre is where the Nets have needed the most help lately, having lost four straight at home and covering just one of their last 11 games as hosts.

Of course, the Nets still have Kevin Durant, who added 39 points Wednesday — the sixth time he’s scored 31 or more in his last eight games. But another big game from KD might not be enough for Brooklyn if it isn’t able to tighten things up on the defensive end. The Nets have allowed at least 118 points in each of their last three games and haven’t held an opponent to 100 or less since mid-December.

How Milwaukee Will Cover

Even without several regulars, the Bucks should be motivated to turn things around after two straight losses. Meanwhile, Brooklyn has struggled to cover point spreads in this range, going 1-9 ATS in its last 10 as a favorite of five points or more.

How Brooklyn Will Cover

The Nets won’t feel any sympathy for the shorthanded Bucks as they look to avenge last year’s Game 7 loss on their home court. Pushing the pace could be a good strategy for Brooklyn in order to tire out Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and other Milwaukee players who might be putting in more minutes than usual.

Computer Pick: Bucks +5

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