Milwaukee claimed the top spot in the East a little over a week ago and looks to be in no mood to relinquish it. For its part, Brooklyn is starting to see its new core of players gel at the right moment.

Despite Brooklyn’s improvements, Milwaukee has heavy chalk written down on it, sitting -12 on the NBA odds. The over-under is tabulated at 233.5.

Nets vs. Bucks NBA Betting Odds

Thursday concludes the four-game regular season series involving these clubs. Either the Nets will earn a 2-2 draw or the Bucks will claim it 3-1. Funnily, the lone victory for the New York state-based operation was in one of the rare games for which both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant suited up. How times have changed.

Things were looking a little bit wonky in the early days of the post-Irving trade for Jacque Vaughn’s group. That said, the club has strung together three straight wins, including away to Boston. Ironically that bolstered their current opponent’s position atop the East. As far as spreads go, the Nets are doing rather well for themselves, having covered five of the last eight, most notably the previous three. Keeping with the theme of three, that’s also how many away tilts they’ve claimed consecutively.

Milwaukee couldn’t remain 10-0 in the L10 stats column forever. Perhaps to their mild annoyance, the lone defeat was suffered at the hands of the 76ers, a club they’d surely have liked to defeat. Mike Budenholzer’s ensemble knows how to cover, as they’ve done just that seven times in 10 tries. At 27-6, they have the third-most home wins of any side in the NBA. The under is tempting here, seeing that the Bucks sport the fifth-best defence in points conceded and the Nets the 11^th-best.

Brooklyn Nets

It was quite recently that some pundits (possibly this article’s author…) believed the floor to be falling from beneath Brooklyn’s feet. Hold the press because they’ve looked rather good in three straight contests.

To be fair, the most recent one came against the Houston Rockets, one of the NBA’s bottom dwellers. Nevertheless, there was a display of character on Tuesday down in Texas that suggested the new core of Spencer Dinwiddie, Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton, Royce O’Neale and company is coming together. Houston rocketed out to an early 11-point lead and held on for a 32-27 advantage by the end of the opening 12 minutes. But Brooklyn was undeterred, with Bridges leading the way courtesy of his 30 points, and Dinwiddie not far behind with 23. The Nets produced several turnovers that blew up Houston possessions and swung momentum the other way as the game wore on. Nets take it easily, 118-96.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks were in Orlando on Tuesday night to face a Magic side that had put some spells on good teams earlier this season. Risk was also incurred by sitting Giannis Antetokounmpo (listed as Day-to-Day at the time of writing) and Jrue Holiday.

In a display of depth and versatility, Milwaukee came and conquered with relative ease. From a shooting perspective, the Bucks overwhelmed the Magic with 59.0 per cent efficiency. New addition Jae Crowder made his presence felt with 15 points off the bench, and oft-overlooked man Jevon Carter was a key component in icing the game late. He was a terrific 9-13 (4-5 for three) for 24 total points. The devil is in the details, however. It’s always fun admiring three-point shooting, points in the paint, slam dunks and whatnot. Another way to win games is being efficient at the line, and Milwaukee was an incredible 32-34. Bucks take it 134-123.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nets vs. Bucks?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Nets Team Leaders

BK

Points	Kyrie Irving 27.1
Assists	Spencer Dinwiddie 9.08
Rebounds	Nic Claxton 9.24
FG%	Nic Claxton 70.5
Steals	Cameron Johnson 1.4
Blocks	Nic Claxton 2.49

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.1
Assists	Jrue Holiday 7.39
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.78
FG%	Giannis Antetokounmpo 55.3
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.18
Blocks	Brook Lopez 2.47

BK

Points	Mikal Bridges 23.5
Assists	Spencer Dinwiddie 6.5
Rebounds	Nic Claxton 8
FG%	Nic Claxton 72
Steals	Spencer Dinwiddie 1.25
Blocks	Nic Claxton 1.75

MIL

Points	Khris Middleton 23.8
Assists	Jrue Holiday 8
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11
FG%	MarJon Beauchamp 66.7
Steals	Brook Lopez 1.4
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.8

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Bucks Team Leaders

BK

Points	Kyrie Irving 27.1
Assists	Spencer Dinwiddie 9.08
Rebounds	Nic Claxton 9.24
FG%	Nic Claxton 70.5
Steals	Cameron Johnson 1.4
Blocks	Nic Claxton 2.49

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.1
Assists	Jrue Holiday 7.39
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.78
FG%	Giannis Antetokounmpo 55.3
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.18
Blocks	Brook Lopez 2.47

BK

Points	Mikal Bridges 23.5
Assists	Spencer Dinwiddie 6.5
Rebounds	Nic Claxton 8
FG%	Nic Claxton 72
Steals	Spencer Dinwiddie 1.25
Blocks	Nic Claxton 1.75

MIL

Points	Khris Middleton 23.8
Assists	Jrue Holiday 8
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11
FG%	MarJon Beauchamp 66.7
Steals	Brook Lopez 1.4
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.8

Injuries

Brooklyn

Nic Claxton (C)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23

Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23

Seth Curry (SG)

Prob Sat Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Edmond Sumner (PG)

Prob Sat Hip - 08 / 04 / 23

Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)

Prob Sat Wrist - 08 / 04 / 23

Cameron Johnson (PF)

Prob Sat Knee - 08 / 04 / 23

Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)

Prob Fri Wrist - 05 / 04 / 23

Day'Ron Sharpe (C)

Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 23

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 26 / 03 / 23

Milwaukee

Wesley Matthews (SG)

Prob Wed Calf - 18 / 04 / 23

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23

AJ Green (PG)

Ques Wed Foot - 07 / 04 / 23

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Fri Rest - 06 / 04 / 23

Pat Connaughton (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 04 / 04 / 23

Grayson Allen (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 23

Jevon Carter (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 03 / 04 / 23

Khris Middleton (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 04 / 23

Grayson Allen (SG)

Ques Tues Ankle - 02 / 04 / 23

Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)

Elig Tues Suspension - 01 / 04 / 23

Injuries

Brooklyn

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Nic Claxton (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Claxton is taking a day of rest, and he will not suit up against the 76ers on Sunday.
Spencer Dinwiddie (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Dinwiddie will be absent from Sunday's showdown with the 76ers as he is taking a rest day.
Seth Curry (SG)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Curry is managing a left ankle injury, but it is likely that he will lace up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
O'Neale injured his left knee, but it is anticipated that he will bounce back in time for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the 76ers.
Edmond Sumner (PG)	Prob Sat	Hip - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Sumner is tending to a right hip contusion, but it is not expected to affect his availability for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the 76ers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)	Prob Sat	Wrist - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Finney-Smith is dealing with a right wrist contusion, but it is projected that he will face the 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Cameron Johnson (PF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 08 / 04 / 23	1-3	2-3	+ -
Johnson is nursing right knee soreness, but it is not likely to affect his status for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)	Prob Fri	Wrist - 05 / 04 / 23	2-4	3-4	+ -
Finney-Smith sat out the last game due to a right wrist contusion, but it is projected that he will partake in Friday's clash with the Magic.
Day'Ron Sharpe (C)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 30 / 03 / 23	3-6	4-6	+ -
Sharpe is expected to take on the Hawks on Friday despite a left ankle sprain.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 26 / 03 / 23	4-7	5-7	+ -
O'Neale was absent from the previous game with left knee soreness, but it is likely that he will face the Rockets on Wednesday.

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Wesley Matthews (SG)	Prob Wed	Calf - 18 / 04 / 23	1-3	4-0	+ -
Matthews is dealing with a right calf strain, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 23	1-5	6-0	+ -
Lopez will be out of the lineup Sunday against the Raptors as he is taking a rest day.
AJ Green (PG)	Ques Wed	Foot - 07 / 04 / 23	2-5	6-1	+ -
Green is tending to right foot soreness, and it is uncertain if he will partake in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Fri	Rest - 06 / 04 / 23	2-5	6-1	+ -
Lopez was not be active for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies as he will receive a day of rest.
Pat Connaughton (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 04 / 04 / 23	3-6	7-2	+ -
Connaughton is hampered by a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Grayson Allen (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 23	3-6	7-2	+ -
Allen is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Heat.
Jevon Carter (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 03 / 04 / 23	3-6	7-2	+ -
Carter missed the previous game with left knee soreness, but it is expected that he will line up for Wednesday's clash versus the Bulls.
Khris Middleton (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 03 / 04 / 23	3-6	7-2	+ -
Middleton is limited due to right knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Heat for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Grayson Allen (SG)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 23	3-7	8-2	+ -
Allen exited the previous contest with a right ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Wizards in Tuesday's clash.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)	Elig Tues	Suspension - 01 / 04 / 23	3-7	8-2	+ -
Antetokounmpo is going through a one-game suspension for an on-court incident, and he will be eligible to return against the Wizards on Tuesday.