Bucks vs Nets Game 7 Odds, Lineups, Picks & Injury Report

• The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets play Game 7 of their second round series on Saturday June, 19th
• Khris Middleton led the way for Milwaukee in Game 6 to force a win-or-go-home matchup
• Read below for the latest odds, injury report, projected lineups and betting prediction

The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets are going to a Game 7. At various points in this series, that has looked unlikely. Milwaukee seemed to have blown it in Game 5, when an all-time Kevin Durant performance gave Brooklyn a 3-2 lead. When Kyrie Irving sprained his ankle, it seemed like the Bucks would take this in six games.

Instead, we’ve got a Game 7 on Saturday June, 19th. The bookies cannot split the two teams, with the Nets just 1-point favorites as of Friday evening.

Bucks vs Nets Game 7 Odds

Odds as of June 18th

Injury Report

The Brooklyn Nets are officially without Kyrie Irving for Game 7. There were limited updates on Irving’s status, but given the severity of the injury, it would be a shock to see him on the hardwood any time soon. James Harden (hamstring) looked better in Game 6 than he did in Game 5, and doesn’t appear to have aggravated the injury.

Following a 27-point Game 5, Jeff Green got the start ahead of Bruce Brown on Thursday. Brown played just four minutes in Game 6.

Milwaukee is without Donte DiVincenzo (foot) for the season, and also saw Jordan Nwora (thigh) sit out the Game 6 win. Mike Budenholzer has shortened to a seven-man rotation. Bryn Forbes has been the seventh man, playing just 24 minutes across the last two games.

Bucks vs Nets Starting Lineups

Middleton’s Consistency

Khris Middleton was awesome in Game 6. This had been a rough series for the two-time All-Star, but Middleton came up big when the Bucks needed it most, scoring 38 points on 16 shots. He added five steals, five assists and 10 rebounds for good measure.

This was a playoff career-high for Middleton, and by far his best performance of this series. With Giannis Antetokounmpo limited in the half court, Middleton’s off-the-bounce shot creation was invaluable in the Game 6 win, and the Bucks need more of the same on Saturday night.

Khris Middleton historic game tonight.

38 PTS (playoff career-high)
10 REB
5 AST
5 STL
5 3PT
11-16 FG

He is the first player in NBA history with 30/10/5/5s and 5+ threes in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/chjrogHCee

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 18, 2021

Middleton is unlikely to replicate the array of shot-making, but he’s got to be better than the eight-for-22 in Game 5. This is where the dilemma lies for bettors. Middleton is 21-for-65 in the three losses. His performance in Game 7 will go a long way to deciding the outcome.

How Healthy Is Harden?

If Middleton is decisive for Milwaukee, Harden has a similar burden for the Nets. He scored just five points on 10 shots in his return in Game 5, with many of his attempts missing short. He could barely drive. Game 6 saw an improved Harden, as he scored 16, and seemed to have a little more energy to attack off the dribble.

This definitely the moment Giannis and Harden started beefing 😭 (h/t @KwekuAboagye) pic.twitter.com/cDUusXg5CJ

— Overtime (@overtime) June 18, 2021

Brooklyn needed an heroic performance from Durant to win Game 5. If Harden can serve as more than a decoy, and contribute the odd stepback three and floater along with his playmaking, life not only becomes easier for Durant, it asks more questions of the Bucks’ defense.

It becomes much tougher to aggressively help on Durant if Harden is looking more like 70% of his usual self (he was closer to 30% in Game 5).

James Harden falls over because of nothing pic.twitter.com/ODgX8H8mvZ

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 18, 2021

The Nets haven’t been able to rely on their role players. Joe Harris is having a rough series. Green and Blake Griffin are up and down from three. The trio combined for three-for-12 from beyond the arc in Game 6. Anything is possible with Durant on the court, but his game will be much trickier if Harden is a non-factor on offense.

Bucks Advance

Milwaukee’s offense was not only more efficient in Game 6. They looked much better, too. Steve Nash has some tough calls to make with his rotations, as leaving Bruce Brown on the bench made it easier for the Bucks to attack off the dribble.

"Me and Kevin fight every year…I love guarding him. I enjoy it. He's the best scorer I've ever seen in my life…that's my brother, we compete, we fight every game, we're gonna fight again in Game 7"

PJ Tucker vs. Kevin Durant – not the disrespectful rivalry you think it is. pic.twitter.com/QAVvKPmdFN

— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) June 18, 2021

The Bucks generated by far the better looks in Game 6, according to ShotQuality.com. They were almost neck-and-neck with the Nets in Game 5.

No one would be surprised to see Durant go off again. Milwaukee did a better job at staying in front of him on Thursday, however, and showed more willingness to give Antetokounmpo the assignment, even if it was only late-clock switches.

The home team has won every game in this series so far, but that should change on Saturday.

• Pick: Milwaukee Bucks Moneyline (-110)