Nets vs Bucks Picks and Predictions: Brooklyn Exploits Favored Milwaukee

To many, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best basketball player on the planet, and after his 44-point performance on Saturday in the Bucks' home opener, that may be hard to argue. The two-time MVP and six-time All-NBA selection shot 81% from the field (including 2-3 from three) and grabbed 12 boards en route to a decisive 125-105 win to bring the Bucks to 2-0.

On Wednesday, they will play on a national stage against the Brooklyn Nets, who they famously eliminated in 2021 after Kevin Durant's unfortunately long shoe touched the three-point line.

Will the Nets avenge that Game 7 loss or will Giannis put together another best-in-the-world type performance on ESPN to push the Bucks to 3-0? Find out with our NBA picks and predictions for the Nets vs. Bucks.

Nets vs Bucks best odds

Nets vs Bucks picks and predictions

Following an eventful offseason that included trade demands, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets have not put together a set of impressive games to start the season. Brooklyn currently sits at 1-2, a record that includes a pair of double-digit losses to the Pelicans and Grizzlies.

Ben Simmons, who has finally made his return to the court this season, has fouled out of two of those games and has just 17 points to his 14 fouls. Kyrie Irving (27.3 PPG) and Durant (32.0 PPG) are scoring their fair share of points, but their efficiency from deep (30.2%) has been lackluster and is making things more difficult for others.

Nic Claxton has been one of the Nets' rare bright spots, averaging just under a double-double with 16.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest after finishing with career-best marks last year of 8.7 PPG and 5.6 RPG. Claxton is also shooting 75.0% from the field, which would easily be the best mark of his four-year career.

The Nets will need to be more efficient from the field as a group given the Bucks' defensive prowess. Milwaukee held the Sixers to 88 points and a 43.4% mark from the field, which included 5-24 (20.8%) from three, then it held the Rockets to 105 points and just a 38.7% shooting percentage.

In the glaringly small sample that is this season thus far, Milwaukee ranks sixth in 3-point percentage (39.7%) and third in effective field goal percentage (57.1%). With that in mind, it will be absolutely imperative that Simmons finds a way to guard Giannis without fouling out in the process. 

If their preseason matchup is any indication, Simmons is certainly capable of doing exactly that.

Ben Simmons has Giannis Antetokounmpo in prison pic.twitter.com/q8dcavZ9oo

— Cody Mallory (@RealCodyMallory) October 13, 2022

The entire world is down on the Nets after their slow start, but Wednesday night is a perfect opportunity for a bounce back. On top of that, the Bucks have played just two games thus far and will have gone three days without playing. Milwaukee also played far below its potential as home favorites last year, ranking as the league's worst team in that split at 15-28 (34.9%).

My best bet: Nets +4 (-110 at Caesars)

Nets vs Bucks spread analysis

While the Bucks have played well on the defensive end thus far, this particular matchup may be troublesome. Jrue Holiday is usually a world-class defender, but his recent games against Irving have painted the opposite picture. Irving has averaged 33.7 points in his last three games against the Bucks while shooting 50.7% from the field and 44.4% from three in those games.

It is incredibly unlikely that Antetokounmpo will guard Durant, as Giannis usually is given more favorable defensive matchups volume-wise to help conserve his energy for the other end.

That means Grayson Allen or Wesley Matthews will be asked to guard one of the game's all-time greatest scorers (especially with Khris Middleton still out), which could get ugly quickly. Durant has averaged 31.8 points in his last six games against the Bucks while shooting 49.6% from the field and 48.8% from three.

Nets vs Bucks Over/Under analysis

If Kyrie and KD get their fair share of points, then the total will come down to the Bucks' ability to do the same. And even if Ben Simmons does manage to contain Giannis on Wednesday, there are other avenues for the Bucks to get their fair share.

For one, the Nets have been horrendous thus far at defending the three. Their 44.3% 3-point percentage allowed ranks dead last and the Bucks are sixth this year at 36.5% and ranked 10th last year at 36.2%.

Brook Lopez causes some matchup issues for the Nets as well, as they lack the big-man personnel to account for his interior presence and his 3-point proficiency. Claxton will very likely be tasked with guarding Lopez for the bulk of the game, which should open up scoring opportunities for Milwaukee.

Nets vs Bucks betting trend to know

Milwaukee was the worst team against the spread as a home favorite last year, going 15-28 (34.9%). Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Bucks.

Nets vs Bucks game info

Nets vs Bucks key injuries

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