Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks Odds, Picks & Opening Night Prediction
Sports betting analyst Nick Galaida previews Opening Night, as the 2021 NBA season tips off with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks hosting Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, followed by the Warriors vs. Lakers. Prepare for the action as Galaida breaks down Nets vs. Bucks odds and delivers his own prediction (and free pick!) for Tuesday, October 19, 2021.
Nets vs. Bucks Odds
| Nets Odds | +1 |
| Bucks Odds | -1 |
| Over/Under | 240.5 |
| Date | Tuesday, Oct. 19 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
On Tuesday evening, the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks will battle on opening night of the NBA season at Fiserv Forum. Brooklyn is coming off of a disappointing season in which they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. Milwaukee is fresh off of their first NBA title since 1971 after going through the Miami Heat, Brooklyn, the Atlanta Hawks, and Phoenix Suns in last year’s postseason. Oddsmakers are anticipating the Bucks starting their title defense on a winning note, pricing Milwaukee as one-point home favorites on the spread.
Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where NBA bettors can find value at sportsbooks for this contest.
Brooklyn Nets Preview
Brooklyn was an offensive juggernaut last year, despite rarely having their big-three of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving on the floor together at the same time. The Nets paced the NBA with a 117.3 offensive rating during the regular season. Irving will not play in this contest, due to his vaccination status, but Brooklyn will still have plenty of offensive firepower available. Joe Harris averaged 14.1 points last year and shot nearly 50 percent from beyond the arc. In the offseason, the Nets had one of the most underrated additions in the NBA, signing Patty Mills, who will now occupy an even larger role due to the unexpected void at point guard in Irving’s absence.
The Nets were less than stellar on the defensive end of the floor last year, ranking 22nd in defensive efficiency. On most nights, this group was content to try to outscore their opponent—not a terrible strategy with the vast array of offensive weapons on this roster. They enter the new campaign si
milarly weak defensively. On Tuesday, do not expect Durant and Harden to lock down Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. In the paint, Blake Griffin, Nic Claxton, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Paul Millsap are going to struggle to win the rebounding battle in this one.
Milwaukee Bucks Preview
During the regular season last year, Milwaukee ranked fifth in offensive efficiency, scoring 116.5 points per 100 possessions. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, this offense is arguably the deepest in the NBA. Last season, seven players averaged double-digit points per game. Nine players, who played at least 30 games, shot better than 37 percent from beyond the arc. Assuming that everyone stays healthy, the Bucks are going to have one of the league’s most dynamic offenses again this winter.
The key to Milwaukee’s title run was unquestionably their effort on the defensive end of the floor. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Middleton are an elite offensive threesome, but they are also extremely long and form one of the best defensive trios in the NBA. Last season, the Bucks ranked ninth in defensive efficiency, allowing only 110.7 points per 100 possessions. Expect the Bucks’ length to cause troubles for Brooklyn in the season opener.
Nets vs. Bucks Pick: Over or Under 240.5 Points?
Nobody enjoys betting the under between two teams with this much offensive talent. However, the market price on the total for this contest is grossly mispriced based on data we have from last season. In their seven game playoff series, these two teams averaged only 206.6 points per game, including the overtime points from Game 7. In three regular season meetings, these two teams averaged 240.3 points per game. There is unlikely to be playoff-level intensity on the defensive end of the floor in this opening night affair, but some opening night jitters from the defending champions, coupled with the fact that Irving will not be suiting up in this one should be enough to keep the game relatively low-scoring. I have this game priced at 235.5 on the total. Take the under.
PICKS: Under 240.5 (-110)
Image Credit: Imagn