With just eight games to play in the regular season the Bucks can close ground against Brooklyn in Milwaukee on Sunday. The Greek Freak is having another MVP caliber season, 28 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 5.8 APG but is day to day (ankle). Speaking of MVPs (and injuries), the Nets Kevin Durant (day to day) is averaging 27.6 ppg, 6.7 RBP and 5.3 apg, and star guard Kyrie Irving is averaging 26.9, 5.0 RPG and 6.4 APG still, who knows when Harden will return for the Nets – I like the Bucks to win this one at home.
The Bucks sat their 2 time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo most of the game Friday in their road win vs the Bulls and he is listed day to day. The key piece of the puzzle here for NBA betting predictions is that by Sunday we can expect coach Mike Budenholzer to play him most of the game and this should give the Bucks a boost at home. Milwaukee is 6-4 in their last 10 and have won 20 of 30 games played inside Fiserv Forum. Guard Donte DiVincenzio, who scores 10.2 ppg for Milwaukee, is also listed as day to day. Friday vs the Bulls the Bucks Forward Khris Middleton and Brooks Lopez picked up the slack for Antetokounmpo as each scored 22 in their win in Chicago. Like most teams this season, because of the NBA’s condensed schedule, the Nets have used some games as off days for banged up players to recover. Friday night at home Nets Coach Steve Nash sat Kevin Durant but he isn’t listed on the teams IR and expected to play by Sunday in game 2 against the Bucks in Milwaukee. The Nets will need his offensive production as they lost at home Friday to Portland. Nets point guard Kyrie Irving poured in 28 in the loss and veteran Jeff Green added 16 points for Brooklyn. The other significant injury of note for the Nets is forward Bruce Brown who did not play (knee) Friday against Portland. The best way to make Nets vs Bucks betting predictions for this one is to take the best guess at who these teams will play Sunday. For the Bucks Antetokounmpo will likely get close to his normal playing time and I expect Durant to play for the Nets. Both of these teams have clinched playoff spots so the real advantage for this one will come as the Bucks are looking to gain possible home court throughout the playoffs and on Sunday will compete to gain ground on the NBA East first place Nets. I think this one will go the way of the home court Bucks as they will use these 2 home games against the Nets as a statement games in their latest push for an NBA championship.
