The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets have played three times this season, producing two games that were duds and a third that was spectacular but missing Kevin Durant.
Since giving us one of the best series of last year’s playoffs, these teams have yet to play a game reminiscent of that seven-game set in the Eastern Conference semifinals. That’s about to change Thursday night in Brooklyn.
Not only is Durant back, but Kyrie Irving is now cleared to play home games for the Nets. And Milwaukee has Brook Lopez back in the lineup after he missed the first five months of the season. With the exception of Ben Simmons, who has yet to suit up for the Nets, both teams are about as healthy as they can be. And it’s just in time for a playoff tune-up and potential first-round preview.
So who wins?
[tipico]