Bucks vs Nets Game 1 Preview: Which Eastern Conference Favorite Will Gain An Edge in the Opener?

There is lots of anticipation for the Bucks vs Nets series and for good reason. I wouldn’t call the Bucks a sleeper, but they look more than capable of beating this Brooklyn team everyone wants to anoint as the next great team in NBA history. They are well-rested off of a series sweep and an intriguing underdog to say the least.

Brooklyn needed five games to get through its opening series against Boston. Their stars were in fine form in the opening series but rarely pressed. Now we get to see just how ready they are for playoff success.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets, TNT, 7:30 PM ET

Bucks vs Nets Series Schedule and Results

• Saturday, June 5 | Game 1 (at Brooklyn): Bucks vs Nets, TNT, 7:30 pm ET
• Monday, June 7 | Game 2 (at Brooklyn): Bucks vs Nets, TNT, 7:30 pm ET
• Thursday, June 10 | Game 3 (at Milwaukee): Nets vs Bucks, ESPN, TBD
• Sunday, June 13 | Game 4 (at Milwaukee): Nets vs Bucks, ABC, 3 pm ET
• Tuesday, June 15 | Game 5 (at Brooklyn): Bucks vs Nets, TNT, TBD (if necessary)
• Thursday, June 17 | Game 6 (at Milwaukee): Nets vs Bucks, ESPN, TBD (if necessary)
• Saturday, June 19 | Game 7 (at Brooklyn): Bucks vs Nets, TNT, TBD (if necessary)

Bucks vs Nets Series Betting Odds

Odds to Win the Series

• Milwaukee Bucks +164
• Brooklyn Nets -196

Series Spread

• Milwaukee Bucks +1.5 (-134)
• Brooklyn Nets -1.5 (+110)

Series Correct Score Odds

• Milwaukee 4-0 +1700
• 4-1 Milwaukee +900
• Milwaukee 4-2 +500
• 4-3 Milwaukee +550
• Brooklyn 4-0 +900
• 4-1 Brooklyn +400
• Brooklyn 4-2 +440
• 4-3 Brooklyn +390

Bucks vs Nets Game 1 Betting Odds

• Spread: Bucks +4 (-110), Nets -4 (-110)
• Total: OVER 240 (-110), UNDER 240 (-110)
• Moneyline: Bucks +150, Nets -178

Bucks vs Nets Game 1 Betting Consensus

• Spread: 75% Bucks, 25% Nets (at +/-4)
• Total: 25% OVER, 75% UNDER (at O/U 240)
• Moneyline: 38% Bucks, 63% Nets

Bucks vs Nets odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Saturday, June 5 at 1:20 pm ET. For more NBA betting odds, check out our NBA odds page. It features updated odds from BetOnline and other top online sportsbooks.

Betting News uses an aggregation of picks from reputable industry sources for all NBA, MLB, and NHL games that are previewed on the site. For detailed Bucks vs Nets betting information, including a source-by-source betting picks breakdown, check out the Bucks vs Nets matchup page.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Game 6 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Time for the Bucks Closeup

The opening game of Milwaukee’s sweep of Miami was close. After that, the Bucks left the Heat in their dust. The only negative of the series was losing guard Dante DiVincenzo for the season.

Giannis was in fine form, and Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday look more than ready to take on the Big Three of the Nets. During the season Giannis put up massive numbers against the Nets, scoring 34, 36, and 49 points as the Bucks posted a 2-1 record against Brooklyn during the regular season. It will be interesting to see whether Brooklyn tries to shut him down in this series, or adopts another strategy defensively.

Defense is going to be key in this series. Giannis is potentially a great cover on Kevin Durant and ditto for Jrue Holiday on either Kyrie Irving or James Harden.

Milwaukee was only an underdog four times this season. They were 0-4 SU and ATS in those games. Something is going to have to give there if they want to advance. They are the consensus spread play as small underdogs on Saturday.

Are the Nets Ready To Be Challenged?

Brooklyn lost just one game against a depleted Boston team in the first round, and it took 50 points from Jayson Tatum to beat them. It was a solid warmup.

Per the intro, the trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden all played well in the opening series. As expected, it has proven to be difficult to guard the Nets when all three are on the floor. Celtics nuisance Marcus Smart challenged them, and you can bet that Holiday and PJ Tucker will do the same.

Those three are among the best offensive players in the game, so stopping them is not really the thing. You have to reduce their efficiency though and make them work on the defensive end. As good as this team is, I think they might struggle if you commit to really getting in their face. They want things to be easy, and with Jeff Green out they have lost important “grit” too.

Brooklyn seemed to get better offensively as the series progressed against Boston. There was not as much pressure on the offense though because Boston did not have a lot of firepower. The only team that finished above the Nets in scoring this season was the Bucks, so Brooklyn will be more pressed in this series.

The Nets covered in all of their wins against the Celtics in their last round. As a home favorite they are 25-5 SU this season, but just 16-14 ATS.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Game 6 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More