NBA 2022/23, on Wednesday, 01.03.2023
The Milwaukee Bucks continue to knit diligently tonight on their winning streak, which has long since reached double digits! Their upcoming opponent, meanwhile, is tailor-made to extend that streak.
In my Nets Bucks tip, I’ll discuss New York’s recent bloodletting at the trade deadline, as well as their game-changing deficiencies in rebounding.
During my daily research for our NBA picks these days, I read a headline that stuck in my mind and perfectly sums up the Nets’ situation: The best team of all time, that never was!
With Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, the Nets had an absolute dream team for two years. But since the end of the trade deadline, it is now clear that the last two superstars have left Brooklyn for good.
The New York squad was literally cannibalised and the consequences were seen immediately after the All-Star Break. Because against the Bulls, they suffered a shattering 87:131 defeat in the very first game.
The Nets have lost four of their last five NBA games and now enter this game knowing they can’t do too much more this season.
Maybe they will still be able to participate in the play-offs via the play-in tournament, but that’s all they should be able to do!
In any case, the positive record of 34:26 distorts the actual performance of the New Yorkers, which has declined enormously in recent weeks. The upcoming opponent, on the other hand, is in breathtaking shape.
Even before the short breather, Milwaukee was riding a 12-game winning streak, which has now been extended by two more games after the All-Star break – namely, both the Heat (128:99) and the Suns (104:101) were overcome.
The special thing about the Bucks is that superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently injured and the Green-Whites still haven’t let themselves get off the winning track – but this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Because their rebounding affinity will also decide the upcoming duel. According to the official NBA statistics, the Bucks collect the most rebounds per game with their long stretchers, whereas the Nets rank second to last in this category.
With Antetokounmpo, the discrepancy in the number of free balls caught would certainly be even greater tonight. But even so, Lopez and Middleton should be able to provide a significant Bucks advantage in rebounds.
Equipped with a clear rebounding advantage, the Bucks should get to more second-chance points and thus automatically score more often.
The individual class necessary for the Nets to be carried to victory by a single player, meanwhile, has been permanently lost at the latest after the departure of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
After the big sellout, it should come as no surprise that the Nets Bucks odds of the sports betting providers have become much more one-sided than was the case in the last duels.
New York might even win the last meeting on December 24, 2012, but I won’t be blinded by that.
Because Durant and Irving were still involved in the 118-110 victory, each with 24 and 18 points respectively – not necessarily because of their scoring abilities, but rather because of their excellent ball handling.
Brooklyn caused only 10 turnovers that night compared to the Bucks’ 18.
For tonight, Milwaukee enters as the clear favourite with odds of around 1.45 at just about all oddsmakers.
Summary: Normally, some NBA teams don’t take the loss of their best player too well. But this is different for the Bucks and Antetokounmpo in this case.
The Green and Whites, who are well-positioned across the board, have strengthened their roster just in time for the trade deadline and are aiming for their 15th NBA win in a row tonight.
The guests should be able to decide the game in their favour on the board even without their two-time MVP. While Brooklyn’s defence isn’t bad, they no longer have the building blocks to overcome a physically massive defence like the Bucks’.
My Nets Bucks tip: Milwaukee wins!
