Brooklyn Nets (52-25) vs Milwaukee Bucks (50-26)
Game Info: Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 7:30 pm (Barclays Center)
Betting Odds: Brooklyn Nets -4 -- Over/Under: 239.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets meet Saturday in game one of the NBA Playoffs Semifinals at the Barclays Center. The Bucks are coming off a sweep of the Miami Heat. The Nets are coming off a five-game series win over the Boston Celtics.
The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 118.5 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 98 points on 39.5 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 23.5 points and 15 rebounds while Khris Middleton is averaging 21.5 points and 4.3 assists. Brook Lopez is the third double-digit scorer and Jrue Holiday is grabbing 6.8 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 32.7 percent from beyond the arc and 75.3 percent from the free throw line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 33.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 59 rebounds per game.
The Brooklyn Nets are averaging 123.4 points on 49.6 percent shooting and allowing 112.2 points on 43.5 percent shooting. Kevin Durant is averaging 32.6 points and three assists while James Harden is averaging 27.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. Kyrie Irving is the third double-digit scorer and Joe Harris is dishing 2.4 assists. The Brooklyn Nets are shooting 42.6 percent from beyond the arc and 91.2 percent from the free throw line. The Brooklyn Nets are allowing 35 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.6 rebounds per game.
The Bucks are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog. The Bucks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games. The Nets are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games and 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The over is 4-1 in Bucks last 5 road games. The over is 4-1 in Nets last 5 Conference Semifinals games. The Bucks are 16-4-1 ATS in the last 21 meetings in Brooklyn and 29-11-1 ATS in the last 41 meetings.
The Milwaukee Bucks looked terrific in their opening series against the Heat, especially defensively. However, the Bucks have had a week off and it raises the question if that's too much rest. The Nets started to heat up offensively in their last two games and it feels like there's another level this team can reach given they haven't played together a ton. The Nets win at home by an average of 7.2 points and are 14-2 against the spread when favored by 4.5 or less points. Should be a fun series, but I like Nets to draw first blood.
Randy’s Pick Brooklyn Nets -4
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds