The Milwaukee Bucks have done it again, extending their win streak to 14 after securing another win on Sunday afternoon against the Suns.
On Tuesday night they will travel to face the Brooklyn Nets, who have lost six of their eight and are looking to find their footing in this post-Durant era. The Nets will look to bounce back from a buzzer-beater loss against the Hawks on Sunday, and try their best to maintain their position in the standings.
Can Mikal Bridges and the rest of Brooklyn surprise the visitors and snap their seemingly unbreakable win streak?
Find out in our free NBA picks and predictions for the Bucks vs. Nets on Tuesday, February 28.
Bucks vs Nets best odds
Bucks vs Nets picks and predictions
Even without Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks have been able to pile up the wins. The 37.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists he averaged in the 11 full games he played during this 14-game win streak have been otherworldly and immensely valuable, but even in his absence, Milwaukee has played like one of the league's best.
That was the case on Sunday afternoon when the Bucks edged out the Suns in a thrilling Finals rematch. Jrue Holiday scored nearly a third of Milwaukee's points and his signature suffocating defense was on full display, while Brook Lopez chipped in 22 points and 13 boards.
Khris Middleton has continued to struggle since his coinciding return on January 23. His sheer counting stats (14.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.9 apg) have been good given the limited playing time he has received (19.7 mpg) as the Bucks attempt to get him back up to speed, but the efficiency has not been great.
He has shot just 30.6% from three since returning and is at 28.9% on the year. He has finished below 37% just once in his nine full seasons with Milwaukee and has been a 38.9% career 3-point shooter. The Bucks' success despite his struggles is an encouraging sign, because if and when the three-time All-Star finds his stroke, Milwaukee's ceiling is even higher than currently imaginable.
And as it has been for every team in its path for over a month, it's simply too much. Heck, it achieved the first 12 wins of the streak without Bobby Portis and Jae Crowder. As those two settle into their roles and become the most useful versions of themselves, the Bucks' ceiling will continue to rise.
That is a ceiling far too high for the Durant- and Irving-less Brooklyn Nets to keep pace with. Durant last played for the Nets on January 8 and Irving's final game was on February 1. Since their collective absence, Brooklyn has ranked 19th in offensive rating and 27th in defensive rating.
Their 27th-ranked net rating as a result has only been better than the Pistons, Spurs, and Rockets — all teams that are undeniably participating in the Victor Wembayanma sweepstakes.
My best bet: Bucks -6.5 (-109 at WynnBET)
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Bucks vs Nets spread analysis
The Bucks opened as 5.5 road favorites and have moved to -6.5 across the market.
Milwaukee is now 33-23-4 against the spread, good for the second-best cover rate in the league at 58.9%. As an away favorite, it's an even better 10-5-2 (66.7%). Only two teams (Knicks and Wizards) cover at a higher rate in that split, and no team with as many games as the Bucks cover at a rate above 55%.
Milwaukee has covered in six of its last eight and in nine of its last 13. It has had some struggles as larger favorites (seven or more points) but as a favorite of -6.5 or less it has gone 21-9 ATS.
The Nets are 31-28-1 ATS this season, good for a 52.5% cover rate. As home underdogs, they are 5-4 ATS.
Brooklyn has covered in 11 of its last 16 but has covered just twice in its last five games. As underdogs of 6.5 or more points, it has gone 6-1 ATS.
Bucks vs Nets Over/Under analysis
The total opened at 228.5 but has since moved to as high as 231.5 at some shops. The market as a whole ranges from 230 (PointsBet) to 231.5 (Unibet, Wynn).
The Bucks are 31-29 (51.7%) to the Under this season, around leleague average. However, on the road, Milwaukee is 20-9 to the Under (69.0%), the highest rate of Unders in that split.
Milwaukee has now gone Under the total in seven of its last ten games, and on totals of 230 or more, it has gone 8-7 to the Over.
Brooklyn is 31-28-1 (52.5%) to the Under this year. At home, it has gone 15-14 (51.7%) to the Under, and as home underdogs, it has gone 5-4 to the Over.
Bucks vs Nets betting trend to know
Milwaukee is 21-9 ATS when favored by less than seven points. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Nets.
Bucks vs Nets game info
Location: | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY |
Date: | Tuesday, February 28, 2023 |
Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
TV: | YES, Bally Sports Wisconsin |