Bucks vs Nets

NBA odds, picks, and predictions for the Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets on March 31. NBA betting free picks against the spread and Over/Under.

The Bucks and Nets average a combined 241.8 ppg over their past 10, and we expect Milwaukee to exert more of a defensive effort in this game than they have recently. Nets predictions and picks in a single-game parlay, you could win $59.58 on a $10 bet? The Bucks also shot a rancid 65% from the line in that game compared to their season average of 77%, didn't have the underrated Book Lopez, and, with Durant out, let Kyrie gore them for 38 points. But it's tough not to side with the movement given how offense-first both sides have been of late. That should, in turn, force the Nets' hands on offense, where KD and Kyrie are all too capable of finding looks without deliberate shot-clock milking or extra-pass-making. Brooklyn clocks in as the NBA's 22nd-ranked defense on the season, and could get worse with Irving — generally a minus defender — seeing more floor time. This total of 50.5 is a bit inflated, it's not a number we'd often suggest taking. Having arguably the most versatile defender in NBA history up your sleeve is one hell of an insurance policy. The Bucks are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games overall. The total opened at 238 in most spots, and has been bet up to 239.5. Milwaukee's seemed like a sleeping giant in the East all season as it's managed through rotating injuries to virtually every key player. The Nets' season took a nose-dive off the disaster tree and hit every branch coming down, but with Kevin Durant healthy and Kyrie Irving cleared to play in all games, they're closer to full strength right now than they've been all season, with Ben Simmons still waiting in the wings.

This battle in Brooklyn features a vastly different Nets team from the first go-round, with Kyrie Irving now allowed to play in all home games with the vaccine ...

ESPN+ 30 For 30 Steve Nash continues to ride his players though, with Durant (recently off an injury remember) playing 39 minutes in Tuesday’s win over the Pistons. This was after playing the entire second half of a B2B on Sunday against the Hornets. Sheesh. Grayson Allen came off the bench against Philly, with Wes Matthews replacing him in the starting lineup. The principle figure, Ben Simmons, has remained out since then though with a back injury that looks like it could keep him out even for the Playoffs. Kevin Durant is back though, and with Irving available for all games, they’re nestled snugly into the Play-in teams. We also got our first glimpse at Grayson Allen off the bench against Philly. I’m curious if Bud will do the same here... For the first time since the opening night of the season, we should get to see the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets face off at near full strength.

NBA betting analyst Joe Dellera explains why he's betting the over/under in Thursday's matchup between the Bucks and Nets.

However, this has simply slowed the Nets very slightly and if anything, I may look for a spot to live bet them at over a possession. This is an exciting showdown between two of the East’s best teams and maybe it will be a preview for a playoff series. Additionally, both of these teams play at blistering paces — the Bucks are fourth-fastest while Brooklyn is 12th. The Nets are mostly whole at this point; while they are without Ben Simmons (back) he has yet to suit up for any team thus far this season. This should be a barnburner. They are more versatile defensively and can play a wider range of schemes. They are still scoring though, so it’s masked this defensive deficiency a bit. Can the Nets defend home court, or should we just expect a flurry of points. They’ve truly fought back from their early-season injuries and now that Brook Lopez is back this team has a new level of depth and can deploy their defense effectively. The Bucks are coming off one of their best wins of the season and have a shot at the top spot in the East, while the Nets are battling for positioning in the play-in. An issue for the Bucks over the past two weeks has been their defense; they are allowing 116.7 points per 100 possessions which is a sharp uptick from their full-season number of 111.3, per Cleaning the Glass. The Milwaukee Bucks head to Brooklyn to take on the Nets and their dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in a showdown between two titans in the Eastern conference.