The Brooklyn Nets are humming right now. They have a chance to dig the Milwaukee Bucks a deeper hole with a win in Game 3. Of course, the Bucks will do everything they can to avoid that, but will the effort they’d put up be enough?
Catch this game live on Friday, June 11, at 7: 30 AM, Manila time
HOME TEAM: Milwaukee Bucks (0-2, 0-0 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Khris Middleton
- SF: P.J. Tucker
- PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- C: Brook Lopez
The Bucks are melting at the worst time, but it’s not too late for them. Giannis Antetokounmpo and company can still find their way out of the hole they’re in, but that would require Khris Middleton to show up.
Middleton has been a huge disappointment for the Bucks in the series, as he’s shooting just 30.2 FG% and 23.1 3FG% so far against Brooklyn. The hope for Milwaukee is that playing in a much friendlier atmosphere would resuscitate its struggling scorers like Middleton and Jrue Holiday, who’s got a -28.1 net rating in the second round.
But the onus will always be on Giannis Antetokoumpo, especially with his legacy on the verge of getting another blemish. The Greek Freak scored just 18 points in 31 minutes in Game 2 and was 0 of 3 from deep.
The Bucks need to rediscover their outside shooting that was so dangerous back in the regular season. In the playoffs, they’re connecting on just 30.6 3% of their 3-point attempts.
Bucks spread bettors can still feel encouraged by the fact that Brooklyn is 1-4 ATS in its last five games as the underdog.
ROAD TEAM: Brooklyn Nets (2-0, 0-0 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Kyrie Irving
- SG: Joe Harris
- SF: Bruce Brown
- PF: Kevin Durant
- C: Blake Griffin
It’s been smooth sailing for Kevin Durant and the Nets in the playoffs. Expected to be in a barnburner of a series against Milwaukee, the Nets are finding it so easy to get wins at the expense of the Bucks. Durant is averaging 30.5 points on 55.8 FG% in the second round.
No one’s stopping Durant and even Antetokounmpo is being constantly embarrassed defensively by the Nets’ offensive onslaught. The Nets are shooting 49.5% from the floor in the series, while the Bucks struggle to get their shots to fall from the outside, the Nets are enjoying a 44.4 3FG%. It’s not just the big guns who are playing well for the Nets.
Blake Griffin has come alive as well, showing that he can still be a factor even for a stacked Brookly squad. Griffin scored just seven points in Game 2 but had eight rebounds a steal and a block in an efficient 30-minute of floor duty.
Brooklyn has Milwaukee on the ropes and with mounting pressure on the Bucks, even a home game for them might not be enough to lift them up.
The Nets are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games after winning by at least 10 points in the previous outing.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: Most people would think that Milwaukee will finally get a win here, but the Bucks seem broken after two demoralizing losses. I’m staying away from Milwaukee. Take the Nets to win and cover (+3.5).
Over/Under: There will be better offense here for the Bucks, but it’s gonna be an even better one for the Nets. Take the Over (233.5)
