Bucks -225
Nets vs. Bucks NBA Playoffs Game 6 Odds Preview and Pick (Archive)
Just one game on the NBA docket and it’s a possible elimination contest for Milwaukee, who has to win on the home court to force a Game 7 Saturday. Here is what to look for.
Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Thursday, June 16, 8:35 PM EDT at Fiserv Forum
Kevin Durant did two things Tuesday night. He made everyone on Twitter love him and admire his courage and skill in playing all 48 minutes in scoring 49 points and registering a triple-double in the most important game of the season. Plus, for the haters, who have disdain for him going to Golden State to win a title, be proved he alone could put a team on his back and carry them to the winner’s circle.
However, this is the NBA Playoffs and what you do in your next game is what matters, especially late in a series. Brooklyn opened as a 3.5-point road underdog at GTbets (visit our GTbets Review) and hopped two points to +5.5 NBA odds at the best online betting sites. How should you view this important clash?
Will Durant’s Legs Hold Up?
Let’s not forget, Durant was twice on minutes watch coming back from a torn Achilles this season. Coach Steve Nash realizes this, but he’s trying to reach the East Finals and beyond without his trio of stars. James Harden was overly cautious with his hamstring and his shot was rustier than nails left out in the rain, going 1-for-10. Kyrie Irving remains out with a bad ankle and doesn’t seem likely to return for this series.
Harden will play better, but nobody can guess how much, however, he played more free-flowing in the second half two nights ago. Jeff Green had 27 points on 7-for-8 from behind the arc Tuesday, yet, that is hardly a dependable option. The offense will run through Durant and he and Harden have to get others involved and hope they can stretch the nylon and make it a final six-minute battle.
Milwaukee Missed Golden Opportunity
The Bucks were up 16 points at the half and were riding 10 quarters of basketball in which they had held Brooklyn to an average of 22.2 points a quarter. Irving was sidelined, Harden was apprehensive and the Nets were off-kilter and beatable. Instead of pressing the accelerator, Milwaukee treated it like a game in February and quit running their offense, started playing hero ball with one pass and a mediocre shot and Brooklyn tied them, past them and beat them.
Milwaukee has the right energy for Game 5, they just didn’t sustain it. Back at home, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have to come out with a – there’s a no tomorrow attitude – because that is actually true if they lose. Antetokounmpo has to be aggressive and smart in driving to the rim and Middleton has to find his midrange game from the start. That defense that carried them for Games 3 and 4 in downtown Milwaukee has to have the intensity to play all four quarters this time around.
A Different Pick Selection
With all the injuries to key players in these playoffs, that has dramatically altered point spreads, making it much harder for those of us putting together NBA picks. We are left to ponder if Durant can come back fresh? How much longer until Harden feels comfortable enough to push himself? Will Milwaukee be clutch at crunch time or will they fold like a tortilla wrap?
All questions without completely discernable answers. With that, we will take the road less traveled, but safe at the same time and grab the Bucks on the money line. Believing the price is fair, the risk relatively low and not having to bother with the point spread. Game 7 is Saturday.
NBA Picks: Bucks -225 ML at GTbets (visit our GTbets Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.