Milwaukee needs to find some secondary scoring. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton combined to score 79 per cent of the Bucks' points in Game 3, the highest percentage for any duo in NBA playoff history.
With no team in NBA history ever coming back from an 0-3 hole in the playoffs, Thursday’s Game 3 was essentially a must-win for the Milwaukee Bucks. It wasn’t a pretty game, but it ended in an 86-83 win for Milwaukee, who now trail the Brooklyn Nets 2-1 in this second-round series.
Brooklyn is a 2-point road favourite on the NBA odds to win in Game 4, with a total of 228.5.
Nets vs. Bucks NBA Playoff Odds
Sports Interaction bettors are all-in on the Nets in this one, with nearly 90 per cent of the action taking Brooklyn. After falling a whopping 66.5 points short of the total in Game 3, it’s not surprising to see just under 80 per cent of bettors taking the Under in Game 4. The last five games between these teams have gone Under the total.
Thursday’s loss was just the second time in Brooklyn’s last 13 games that they haven’t been able to pull out the W. The total has now gone Under in four of their last five games, including all three games of this series. The Nets are still a heavy -455 favourite to win this series. They’re also -222 favourites to win the East and +105 favourites to win the NBA Championship.
Milwaukee knew home court could help turn this series around. They’ve been strong at Fiserv Forum, winning 11 straight home games. The total has gone Under in five of their last seven games overall and three of their last four home games. The Bucks are +280 dogs to win the series and +425 to win the East. They’re +1000 to win the NBA Championship, only ahead of the Clippers, Hawks and Nuggets.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets were heavily outscored 30-11 in the first quarter of Game 3. They finished the frame 5-for-25 from the field and 1-for-9 from deep. Brooklyn’s strategy of targeting Brook Lopez in pick-and-roll situations, which worked well in the first two games, was exposed in Game 3. Knowing that Lopez would drop back to cover the paint, Brooklyn was hitting easy jumpers through the first two games. Those shots weren’t there early in Game 3 and it hurt the Nets.
Despite finishing with a team-high 30 points and 11 rebounds, Kevin Durant looked frustrated throughout the night on Thursday. Durant has faced P.J. Tucker in the playoffs multiple times and it looked like Tucker got under his skin in Game 3. After Tucker was called for a foul in the third quarter, things became heated with Durant, culminating in a bizarre scene that saw Durant’s bodyguard rush the floor and break things up. The Durant and Tucker battle should be fascinating as this series goes on.
With James Harden still sidelined, Kyrie Irving is continuing to play efficiently. Irving finished with 22 points on 22 shots in Game 3 and his matchup with Jrue Holiday could be crucial in the series.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee’s offence finally came alive in the first quarter of Game 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo was aggressive and drove to the paint, while Khris Middleton was perfectly using screens to open up jump shots. Both players finished with 15 points and seven boards in the quarter and were the only Bucks players to score in the frame. Unfortunately, the first quarter is where the offence stopped.
Antetokounmpo has struggled shooting the long ball all playoffs. On Thursday he finished was 1-for-8 from the 3-point line and his poor shot selection almost allowed Brooklyn to climb back into the game. Antetokounmpo finished the night 14-for-31 from the field and 4-for-9 from the free-throw line. He had 33 points and 14 rebounds.
Middleton looks like he’s solved his shooting problems. He went from starting Game 2 at 0-for-8 from the field to scoring a game-high 35 points and 15 rebounds in Game 3. The problem for Milwaukee right now is the lack of secondary scoring. Combining for 68 points in Game 3, Middleton and Antetokounmpo were responsible for 79 per cent of the Bucks’ points on Thursday. That percentage is actually the highest for any duo in NBA playoff history.
NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Nets vs. Bucks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 11 Jun 3:59am | BK | -2 -110 | O +230 -110 |
| Closing 13 Jun 6:49pm | BK | -2.5 -110 | O +228 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
28.15 |
| Assists |
6.05 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.63 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
| Points |
30.19 |
| Assists |
8.65 |
| Rebounds |
12.81 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
1.48 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
26.94 |
| Assists |
10.89 |
| Rebounds |
8.53 |
| FG% |
76.3 |
| Steals |
1.41 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
28.15 |
| Assists |
6.05 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.63 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
| Points |
34.25 |
| Assists |
8.56 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
57.1 |
| Steals |
1.67 |
| Blocks |
1.58 |
| Points |
30.19 |
| Assists |
8.65 |
| Rebounds |
12.81 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
1.48 |
Injuries
Alize Johnson (SF)
Jeff Green (SF)
Landry Shamet (PG)
Joe Harris (SG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Bruce Brown (PG)
Alize Johnson (SF)
Nicolas Claxton (PF)
Reggie Perry (PF)
Blake Griffin (PF)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Sam Merrill (PG)
Sam Merrill (PG)
Jordan Nwora (PF)
Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Jeff Teague (PG)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Khris Middleton (SF)
P.J. Tucker (SF)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alize Johnson (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 2-6-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jeff Green (SF) | Prob Sun | Foot - 25 / 05 / 21 | 8-3 | 3-7-1 | + - |
|
Green is managing a left foot strained plantar fascia, but it projected that he will be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Landry Shamet (PG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21 | 9-3 | 4-7-1 | + - |
|
Shamet is bothered by a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Joe Harris (SG) | Prob Sat | Hip - 12 / 05 / 21 | 12-3 | 5-9-1 | + - |
|
Harris is dealing with hip soreness, but he is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Tues | Face - 11 / 05 / 21 | 13-3 | 6-9-1 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by a facial contusion, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Bulls. |
|||||
| Bruce Brown (PG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 26 / 04 / 21 | 16-7 | 8-14-1 | + - |
|
Brown has missed the last three contests with right knee soreness, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Bucks on Sunday. |
|||||
| Alize Johnson (SF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 23 / 04 / 21 | 17-8 | 8-16-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action. |
|||||
| Nicolas Claxton (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 | 18-9 | 9-17-1 | + - |
|
Claxton is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return. |
|||||
| Reggie Perry (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 | 18-9 | 9-17-1 | + - |
|
Perry it out of commission while he is enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return to the court. |
|||||
| Blake Griffin (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 16 / 04 / 21 | 20-9 | 11-17-1 | + - |
|
Griffin will not be in the lineup Friday versus the Hornets, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 17 / 07 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is going through the league's health and safety protocols, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Sam Merrill (PG) | Ques Tues | Ankle - 17 / 07 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Merrill has a sprained right ankle and is questionable for Game 6 of the NBA Final. |
|||||
| Sam Merrill (PG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 09 / 06 / 21 | 10-7 | 7-8-2 | + - |
|
Merrill is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Jordan Nwora (PF) | Ques Fri | Thigh - 07 / 06 / 21 | 10-8 | 7-9-2 | + - |
|
Nwora is bothered by a left thigh contusion, and it is unclear if he will partake in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Hawks. |
|||||
| Donte DiVincenzo (SG) | out for season | Foot - 28 / 05 / 21 | 12-8 | 8-10-2 | + - |
|
DiVincenzo suffered a tendon injury in his left foot and will miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Jeff Teague (PG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 21 / 05 / 21 | 13-10 | 10-11-2 | + - |
|
Teague is nursing a sore left knee, and it is unknown if he will dress for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Mid June | Knee - 17 / 05 / 21 | 14-10 | 10-12-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is battling right patella tendon soreness, and it is anticipated that he will be out until the middle of June. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 16 / 05 / 21 | 14-10 | 10-12-2 | + - |
|
Middleton is dealing with left ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| P.J. Tucker (SF) | Prob Fri | Neck - 06 / 05 / 21 | 14-15 | 14-13-2 | + - |
|
Tucker exited the previous contest with a neck and jaw injury, but it is projected that he will dress for Friday's clash with the Rockets. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 05 / 05 / 21 | 15-15 | 14-14-2 | + - |
|
Middleton missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Rockets on Friday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 11 Jun 3:59am BK -2 -110 O +230 -110 Closing 13 Jun 6:49pm BK -2.5 -110 O +228 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Nets Team Leaders
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points 28.15
Assists 6.05
Rebounds 11
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.63
Blocks 1.47
Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
Points 30.19
Assists 8.65
Rebounds 12.81
FG% 60
Steals 1.65
Blocks 1.48
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 26.94
Assists 10.89
Rebounds 8.53
FG% 76.3
Steals 1.41
Blocks 2.2
Points 28.15
Assists 6.05
Rebounds 11
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.63
Blocks 1.47
Points 34.25
Assists 8.56
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 57.1
Steals 1.67
Blocks 1.58
Points 30.19
Assists 8.65
Rebounds 12.81
FG% 60
Steals 1.65
Blocks 1.48
-
Injuries
Alize Johnson (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21Jeff Green (SF)
Prob Sun Foot - 25 / 05 / 21Landry Shamet (PG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21Joe Harris (SG)
Prob Sat Hip - 12 / 05 / 21Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Tues Face - 11 / 05 / 21Bruce Brown (PG)
Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 04 / 21Alize Johnson (SF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 21Nicolas Claxton (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21Reggie Perry (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21Blake Griffin (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 16 / 04 / 21Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 17 / 07 / 21Sam Merrill (PG)
Ques Tues Ankle - 17 / 07 / 21Sam Merrill (PG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 06 / 21Jordan Nwora (PF)
Ques Fri Thigh - 07 / 06 / 21Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
out for season Foot - 28 / 05 / 21Jeff Teague (PG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 21 / 05 / 21Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Mid June Knee - 17 / 05 / 21Khris Middleton (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 16 / 05 / 21P.J. Tucker (SF)
Prob Fri Neck - 06 / 05 / 21Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 05 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Alize Johnson (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 30 / 05 / 21 6-3 2-6-1 + - Johnson is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Jeff Green (SF) Prob Sun Foot - 25 / 05 / 21 8-3 3-7-1 + - Green is managing a left foot strained plantar fascia, but it projected that he will be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Landry Shamet (PG) Prob Sat Ankle - 21 / 05 / 21 9-3 4-7-1 + - Shamet is bothered by a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference first round.
Joe Harris (SG) Prob Sat Hip - 12 / 05 / 21 12-3 5-9-1 + - Harris is dealing with hip soreness, but he is likely to be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Celtics.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Tues Face - 11 / 05 / 21 13-3 6-9-1 + - Brown is hampered by a facial contusion, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt versus the Bulls.
Bruce Brown (PG) Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 04 / 21 16-7 8-14-1 + - Brown has missed the last three contests with right knee soreness, and it has yet to be determined if he will take on the Bucks on Sunday.
Alize Johnson (SF) Out indefinitely Illness - 23 / 04 / 21 17-8 8-16-1 + - Johnson is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action.
Nicolas Claxton (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 18-9 9-17-1 + - Claxton is sidelined while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it has yet to be established when he will return.
Reggie Perry (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 19 / 04 / 21 18-9 9-17-1 + - Perry it out of commission while he is enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, and it is unknown when he will return to the court.
Blake Griffin (PF) Out Fri Rest - 16 / 04 / 21 20-9 11-17-1 + - Griffin will not be in the lineup Friday versus the Hornets, as he will be given a day of rest.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Out indefinitely Illness - 17 / 07 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Antetokounmpo is going through the league's health and safety protocols, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Sam Merrill (PG) Ques Tues Ankle - 17 / 07 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Merrill has a sprained right ankle and is questionable for Game 6 of the NBA Final.
Sam Merrill (PG) Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 06 / 21 10-7 7-8-2 + - Merrill is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Nets.
Jordan Nwora (PF) Ques Fri Thigh - 07 / 06 / 21 10-8 7-9-2 + - Nwora is bothered by a left thigh contusion, and it is unclear if he will partake in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Hawks.
Donte DiVincenzo (SG) out for season Foot - 28 / 05 / 21 12-8 8-10-2 + - DiVincenzo suffered a tendon injury in his left foot and will miss the remainder of the season.
Jeff Teague (PG) Ques Thurs Knee - 21 / 05 / 21 13-10 10-11-2 + - Teague is nursing a sore left knee, and it is unknown if he will dress for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Mid June Knee - 17 / 05 / 21 14-10 10-12-2 + - Antetokounmpo is battling right patella tendon soreness, and it is anticipated that he will be out until the middle of June.
Khris Middleton (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 16 / 05 / 21 14-10 10-12-2 + - Middleton is dealing with left ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
P.J. Tucker (SF) Prob Fri Neck - 06 / 05 / 21 14-15 14-13-2 + - Tucker exited the previous contest with a neck and jaw injury, but it is projected that he will dress for Friday's clash with the Rockets.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 05 / 05 / 21 15-15 14-14-2 + - Middleton missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Rockets on Friday.