Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets preview

In Friday night’s Eastern Conference rivalry matchup, the Milwaukee Bucks (25-15) are playing the Brooklyn Nets (24-12) at Barclays Center. Will Kevin Durant and the Nets win their first head-to-head regular season contest versus the Bucks since Jan. 18, 2021?

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets news

Leading into tonight’s intraconference clash, the Bucks are 18-22 against the spread in the 2021-22 NBA regular season, whereas the Nets are 14-21-1 against the spread. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET. This contest can be watched live via Bally Sports North, Bally Sports Wisconsin, ESPN, NBA League Pass, ESPN Deportes and YES Network. According to Land of Basketball’s database, based on 180 head-to-head regular season games played all-time, Milwaukee is 105-75 versus Brooklyn. Not to mention, in the past three meetings, the Bucks are 3-0 against them.

On Oct. 19, 2021, the first meeting during this regular season, Milwaukee won 127-104 at Fiserv Forum. On another subject, the Bucks are close to signing guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. to a 10-day contract. This deal is in accordance to the league’s hardship policy. In the four games he played with the Warriors this season, the 24-year-old averaged 1.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and almost 1.0 assist per game. Golden State waived the player on Sunday. Dowtin Jr. went undrafted in 2020 out of the University of Rhode Island.

The Milwaukee Bucks are planning to sign guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. to a 10-day hardship deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Dowtin played in four games for the Warriors this season on a two-way contract.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 7, 2022

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets betting lines and odds

Sportsbook: BetOnline

Over/Under: 233

Point spread: Nets -4.5 (-113)

Best moneyline: Bucks +165, Nets -190

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets injury report

Nets: PG Kyrie Irving (out) | SF Joe Harris (out indefinitely)

Full injury report for the Bucks’ game against the Nets tomorrow night:

OUT (health and safety protocols): Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, George Hill, Jrue Holiday
OUT (left ankle sprain): Donte DiVincenzo
OUT (back surgery): Brook Lopez

Probable: Giannis Antetokounmpo

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) January 6, 2022

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets preview

Furthermore, in the Bucks’ 117-111 home loss versus the Raptors on Wednesday, forward Khris Middleton led his team in scoring, finishing his performance with 25 points in 34 minutes on the court. Guard Jordan Nwora had 17 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 40 minutes played as well. The most notable contributing factor for Milwaukee’s loss was the team’s 18 turnovers.

Plus, they were outscored 24 to 11 in the third quarter. They shot 38-for-85 (44.7%) from the field and 17-for-39 (43.6%) from three-point range. Home-court advantage is not what it seems for the Bucks this season. Including this home loss, Milwaukee is now 13-7 at home, 12-8 away and 11-9 ATS on the road this season. They rank third in the Eastern Conference, trailing the top-ranked Bulls by 2.5 games.

Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Bucks have a 64.5% chance of winning.

As for the Nets, on Wednesday, in their 129-121 road victory over the Pacers, forward Kevin Durant scored team-highs 39 points and 8.0 rebounds in 41 minutes of action. In Kyrie Irving’s season debut, he accumulated 22 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 32 minutes played. Brooklyn outscored Indiana 35 to 20 in the fourth quarter.

After viewing other box-score game statistics, the Nets also outscored the Pacers 60 to 46 in the paint. Irving may have played in this matchup, but how many more games will he participate in this season? That’s the ultimate question. For tonight’s contest, he has to sit out because the game is being played in Brooklyn. Following this win, the Nets are now 14-3 away, 10-9 at home and 4-14-1 ATS at home this season. The team trails only the Bulls by 1.5 games for the number one seed in the conference.

Projected starting lineup

Bucks: PG Wesley Matthews | SG Khris Middleton | SF Jordan Nwora | PF Giannis Antetokounmpo | C Bobby Portis

Nets: PG James Harden | SG Patty Mills | SF Kevin Durant | PF David Duke | C Nicolas Claxton

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction

On top of the available data listed above, the total for Friday night’s interesting contest is set at 233. In regard to the spread consensus, approximately 59% of bettors are predicting the Nets will cover the spread at Barclays Center. Regarding the total consensus, 54% of gamblers are expecting the total to go over 233. Thus far, Milwaukee is 23-8 as a favorite, 2-7 as an underdog and 11-9 ATS away, whereas Brooklyn is 20-11 as a favorite, 4-1 as an underdog and 4-14-1 ATS at home.

Be sure to review the betting trends. The Bucks are 6-2 straight up in their last eight performances. They are also 4-1 ATS in their previous five matches versus the Nets. Next, Milwaukee is 5-2 SU in the team’s past seven contests played. However, the Bucks are 1-5 ATS in their last six matches against Atlantic Division opponents. Lastly, the total has gone over in five of their past six games this season.

On the other side, the Nets are 1-4 ATS in their previous five performances. And, the total has gone over in seven of their last 10 contests played. Next, Brooklyn is 1-10 ATS in their past 11 games at Barclays Center. Also, the total has gone over in four of their previous five contests versus Central Division opponents. In conclusion, this matchup should be close. The Nets might earn this hard-fought victory, but the Bucks will cover the spread. If you want to learn more about sports betting, check out our handicap betting guide.