Everything you need to know ahead of Nets-Bucks Game 3

The Brooklyn Nets demolished the Milwaukee Bucks 125-86 in Game 2 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. Brooklyn now heads to Milwaukee for Game 3 in what’s been a one-sided matchup from the jump. The Bucks are favored to win tonight, but the Nets are huge favorites to move onto the next round, as they sit at (-530) to win the series at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

Can the Bucks bounce back at home and make this interesting? Let’s take a look at who has the edge in Game 3 and find out the NBA best bets for this playoff matchup. 

Game Preview

Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks (-3.5, 234)

The Nets haven’t missed a beat without James Harden, who went down with a hamstring injury in the first game of this matchup. Of course, it helps when you have two other superstars on your team. Kevin Durant has come out with a vengeance, against the Bucks and during this postseason as a whole. The Slim Reaper is averaging 32.0 points, 7.3 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists and 2 blocks per game since the playoffs began. He’s done that while shooting an insane 55% from the field and 50% from three-point land. Durant’s teammate Kyrie Irving hasn’t been too shabby himself. Irving is putting up 24.4 points, grabbing 6.0 boards, and dishing out 4.0 assists a game. On the other hand, the Bucks and their MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo have come out flat since this series started.

The Greek Freak is coming off of a disappointing Game 2 in which he scored just 18 points, going 2-for-7 from the free throw line and 0-for-3 from deep. If Milwaukee wants to get back into this series, it’ll be up to Antetokounmpo to carry the load on his broad shoulders moving forward.

When it comes to tonight’s matchup, the Bucks headd back home to Fiserv Forum, where they finished the regular season with a 26-10 record. Brooklyn went just 20-16 on the road during the year, which is something to keep an eye on. The Bucks do score 2.6 more points per game at home, and the crowd should be rocking tonight, so maybe that will help jump start this offense that’s posted an offensive rating of just 97.0 the past two games.

One of Milwaukee’s biggest issues so far against Brooklyn has been their stagnant offense. During the year, they relied on team ball that featured crisp passing, highlighted by Giannis running and dunking on everyone. They also got major contributions from their second star, Khris Middleton. Overall, their style led to a league-leading 120.1 points per game and they were also ranked seventh in the league in points per possession in the regular season, according to Cleaning the Glass. Unfortunately for the Bucks, Middleton has gone ice cold to start the series, and against the Nets as a whole, everything has been isolation and one-on-one. The Bucks had just 14 assists in Game 2, which isn’t going to get it done against this high-octane Nets team.

Brooklyn is suspect on defense, ranking 21st in points allowed, and 22nd in defensive rating and three-pointers allowed. If Milwaukee can slow down the tempo, get back to moving the rock and hit their three-point shots, tonight should be a different story.

On defense, the Bucks like to pack the paint, which worked well against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. Unfortunately for them, the Nets are built differently. Case in point, Brooklyn is hitting 44% of their threes this series. The team has no issues letting it fly from deep, so the Bucks might need to change their defensive strategy tonight.

Gambling wise, bettors are expecting Brooklyn to win and cover this game, with 68% of the betting tickets and handle on them.

While the BetQL team likes the Nets to take this series, this is a good situational spot for the Bucks. It’s do or die, and the Milwaukee players should come out with some pride after that embarrassing Game 2 loss. Everyone is counting the Bucks out, which like this spot a little more likable. Khris Middleton should shoot better at home, and Jrue Holiday, who has playoff experience, should step up tonight as well. Ultimately, it will come down to the Greek Freak, whom the BetQL team envisions will score 30-plus points by the time the the final buzzer sounds.

Pick: Bucks -3.5

BetQL Model Predictions & Picks

BetQL's NBA model has run 10,000 simulations of this game to provide insight on how the game will pan out, and after all those simulations, the model leans the Nets +3.5. Currently, the point spread of this game sits at +/- 3.5 with Milwaukee as home favorites. BetQL’s model would have placed the line at Nets +2.5, meaning there is some betting value on Brooklyn in this game at +3.5. Keep reading below to get picks from the experts at BetQL.   

Against the Spread Pick:

The model is leaning towards the Nets with a 2-star rating on the game, and projects the final score to be Milwaukee 119.5, Brooklyn 117. The BetQL team, however, is on the other side tonight, but it's always good comparing analysis to the model to reduce bias. The model does have Milwaukee winning tonight, so taking the Bucks on the moneyline might be another option. According to the expert bettors, they are backing the Bucks as of now, but be sure to check back with BetQL to see the most updated odds, lines and spreads for this game before tip.

Over/Under Pick:

The over/under for this game is set to 234 points. The BetQL model recommends taking the over for this game. Milwaukee will come out fired up tonight, and both teams rank in the top-10 in points scored. Agreeing with the model for this particular bet, the BetQL team is backing BetQL’s 2-star pick and taking the over. 

If you want to check out BetQL’s over-under picks for the rest of the NBA playoffs, make sure to check out their site for those picks. 

Prop Bet Spotlight

The BetQL computer model has identified a 5-star prop that we like for tonight’s matchup in Bryn Forbes over 13.5 points, rebounds, and assists. Forbes is averaging 15.5 PRA this postseason, and has quietly been one of the most consistent members of the team in the playoffs.

Pick: The BetQL team is backing the model and taking Forbes to go over his PRA mark of 13.5.

As a Basketball News reader you can get access to BetQL for 30% when you use the code BBN30, check out BetQL and win the rest of your bets for the playoffs