The 2021-22 NBA regular season tips off Tuesday with a Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals. Tip-off at Fiserv Forum is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nets vs. Bucks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Milwaukee upset Brooklyn 4-3 in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals series en route to an NBA title. The Bucks, in three of their four series wins over the Nets, the Under was 5-1-1 in those games.
Game 7 was the best of the Nets-Bucks series as Milwaukee won 115-111 in overtime after Kevin Durant hit a 2-point shot to send the game into extra time. KD almost won the series with a game-winning 3-pointer, but instant replay confirmed his foot stepped on the line.
The Bucks were 2-1 overall and against the spread (ATS) vs. the Nets in their three regular-season meetings last year.
Nets at Bucks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nets +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Bucks -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nets +1.5 (-110) | Bucks -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 235.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Nets at Bucks key injuries
Nets
- PG Kyrie Irving (personal) out
Bucks
- SG Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) out
- PF Bobby Portis Jr. (hamstring) out
Nets at Bucks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nets 118, Bucks 112
Money line
The NETS (+100) is the play, but I’d rather bet Brooklyn’s spread at these prices.
However, I’ve been monitoring this game’s betting lines for weeks now and what’s startling to me is how little it changed when news broke of Brooklyn benching Kyrie until he gets vaccinated for COVID-19.
In my opinion, Brooklyn goes from being the favorite to win the East to behind Milwaukee if Kyrie misses the season. But, the Nets have bounced back and forth between being a slight favorite to a slight underdog vs. the Bucks, in Milwaukee, over the past week or so.
Brooklyn’s case for having an edge over Milwaukee is the “revenge of KD,” “regular season James Harden” and “the Bucks are without key contributors” arguments.
Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s legacy advanced to a new level after Milwaukee won the NBA title last season, KD could still be the best basketball player in the world. KD was inches away from sending the Bucks home last season, and I’m expecting Durant to be even better this season.
Furthermore, Harden always wears down by season’s end, and last year was no different. Theoretically, Harden will be at his fittest and healthiest in the first game of the season and will have a similar chip on his shoulder as KD.
Also, while Kyrie’s absence definitely lowers Brooklyn’s ceiling, it could motivate KD and Harden to step up primetime games.
Finally, Milwaukee is missing its starting shooting guard in DiVincenzo and a key bench player in Portis. Obviously, these are just role players, but it matters in this spot because there isn’t a lot separating these two teams.
Against the spread
BETTING 1 unit on the NETS +1.5 (-110) is my favorite wager in this matchup. You could opt to take Brooklyn’s money line instead, but I’m cool with spending a little bit more in case Milwaukee wins on a buzzer-beater.
Over/Under
Slight “LEAN” to the UNDER 235.5 (-108) for a tiny wager if at all because I much prefer the Brooklyn side in this game and don’t have a great handicap on the total.
On top of that, we are getting to the party a little late since the Bucks-Nets opened with a 240.5-point total but has been bet down to the current number. Again, I’m not in love with the Under, though, because of all the firepower between both teams.
But, it’s the first game of the season so maybe there’s some rust to knock off, and this budding rivalry game could grind to a halt late. Plus with a total of 236.5, just one slow or low-scoring quarter could cash the Under.
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