Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25
Two teams heading in opposite directions will meet in Milwaukee tonight as the Nets (12-21) have dropped three straight and are 14-point underdogs to the Bucks (17-14), who have won three in a row and are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference.
This Eastern Conference matchup will tip-off at 8:00 ET and can be seen on YES.
BROOKLYN NETS VS MILWAUKEE BUCKS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -14
This game will be played at Fiserv Forum at 8:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.
WHY BET THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 142-95 in favor of the Bucks.
- Our projections have Giannis Antetokounmpo finishing with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists.
- From the field, we have the Bucks finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.7% and knocking down 17 threes.
Is a Road Win Possible for the Nets?
The Nets fell to 12-21 on the season after a 130-113 loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. Brooklyn entered the game as +1 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 243, well over the 218.5 O/U line.
Brooklyn led 33-26 after the 1st quarter but allowed 39 points in the 2nd. Heading into the 4th quarter, the Nets were down 94-91, but a 10-0 run by the Raptors put the game out of reach, as Toronto outscored Brooklyn 36-22 in the final period.
In their loss to the Raptors, the Nets shot 48.3% from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 29.7% of their threes, with 11 made in total. Cameron Johnson led the way with 24 points, connecting on 3 threes at a 60% rate, while D’Angelo Russell added 22 points and 8 assists, shooting 69.2% from the floor.
Keon Johnson contributed 17 points, despite shooting 33.3% overall and 25% from three, making 3 triples. Nic Claxton chipped in 16 points, with 6 coming in the opening quarter.
The Nets struggled defensively on Wednesday, giving up 130 points to the Raptors. Their toughest stretch came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 39 points. Brooklyn also gave up 36 points in the 4th quarter.
Overall, the Raptors shot 59% from the field, including 50% from three-point range, hitting 16 threes. The Nets sent Toronto to the line 13 times, where they made 10 free throws. Brooklyn finished with 28 defensive rebounds, 8 steals, and 2 blocks.
Can the Bucks Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?
The Bucks improved to 17-14 on the season with a 120-112 win over the Pacers on Tuesday. Milwaukee, favored by 2 points, covered the spread with the 8-point victory. The game’s total of 232 points narrowly exceeded the over/under line of 230.
Milwaukee’s 12-0 run was key in the win, as they extended their lead from 83-66 to 95-66. After trailing 91-88 going into the 4th quarter, the Bucks outscored the Pacers 32-21 in the final period.
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered 13 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters, finishing with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists in the Bucks’ win over the Pacers. Brook Lopez added 16 points, while Khris Middleton contributed 15 despite shooting 36.4% from the field.
The Bucks shot 46.4% overall, hitting 12 threes at a 36.4% clip. Gary Trent and Bobby Portis each scored 14 points, with Trent adding 8 points in the 1st quarter and 6 more in the 4th.
The Bucks tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 27 points in the 3rd quarter and 21 in the 4th, helping them secure a win over the Pacers. Overall, they gave up 112 points on 44% shooting.
Milwaukee limited Indiana to 13 made threes on 35% shooting from deep. The Pacers also went 19/30 from the free-throw line. The Bucks finished with 38 defensive rebounds and 10 steals.