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Bucks vs Nets Odds, Spread & Predictions (Dec. 23)
By Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball
Published:
- The Brooklyn Nets are slight 1-point favorites when they host the East-leading Bucks Friday night
- Brooklyn has reeled off seven straight wins
- Read below for the Bucks vs Nets odds and predictions
Two teams inevitably set to clash at some point in the playoffs will headline the NBA’s Friday night slate.
The red-hot Brooklyn Nets (20-12, 11-5 home) host the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks (22-9, 8-6 away), a matchup featuring two of the top four seeds in the Conference, and two of the top seven teams in the 2023 NBA Championship odds.
Milwaukee was stopped last time out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Nets tore apart the Golden State Warriors for their seventh straight win.
The Bucks will likely be without Khris Middleton, as he missed the Cleveland game, and is listed as doubtful.
It all gets underway Friday (Dec 23) at 7:30pm ET from Barclays Center. You can watch the game live on NBA TV.
Bucks vs Nets Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | +1 (-110) | -105 | OFF |
| Brooklyn Nets | -1 (-110) | -115 | OFF |
Odds as of Dec 22 at DraftKings. Claim the DraftKings promo code to bet on the Bucks vs Nets game.
The NBA odds have the hometown Nets as slight 1-point favorites, and -115 favorites on the moneyline. Brooklyn has feasted on East foes, their 15-6 mark is tied with the Cavs for the most wins in the conference.
Milwaukee enters Friday at an NBA-best 22-9. They’re the last team to have single digit losses this season.
Milwaukee Betting Outlook
Not even a superhuman effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo could lift Milwaukee to a win in Cleveland, as they lost 114-106, leaving them 3-3 in their last six.
The Greek Freak ripped the Cavs for a season-high 45 points, adding 14 boards, four assists and a pair of blocks. It’s back-to-back 40 bombs for Antetokounmpo, currently tied with Jayson Tatum at the top of the 2023 NBA MVP odds.
It still wasn’t enough, as the Bucks were down 15 after the first quarter, and were forced to play uphill the rest of the way.
Giannis dropped a season-high 45 points tonight.
45 PTS | 14 REB | 4 AST | 63% FG% pic.twitter.com/BVFaLWI0n4
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 22, 2022
Jrue Holiday had nine points, nine boards and eight assists, while Brook Lopez had 14 points and six rebounds.
Milwaukee is middle of the pack in most offensive categories, as they average 112.9 points per game (17th), shooting 46.2% from the field (21st) and 35.3% from distance (16th). They are second in the league in rebounding, and a top-10 unit in offensive boards.
They make their hay on the defensive end, holding teams to the 4th-lowest scoring output (108.9), while limiting opponents to 44.9% shooting, the second-best mark in the NBA.
Brooklyn Betting Outlook
The Nets showed no mercy to an injured and road-weary Golden State Warriors squad who were wrapping up a six-game trip, crushing them 143-113. It was their highest scoring output of the season.
Brooklyn put this one away early, building a 46-17 lead after 12 minutes, the largest point differential in a quarter this season. They also set a franchise mark for 91 first-half points.
This all came without Kyrie Irving (calf), who’s been dynamite since coming back from suspension. He’s listed as questionable for Friday.
Kevin. Durant.
🗳️ https://t.co/a5e0asdw9g pic.twitter.com/fYkw0KLp1l
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 22, 2022
Kevin Durant led the way with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a tidy 29 minutes of work. Brooklyn had nine players, including all five starters, score in double figures. The Nets shot a blistering 64.3% from the field, including a ridiculous 21-for-33 from 3-point range, and absurd 63.6% clip.
The Nets have been scorching during this 7-game stretch, averaging 125.1 points per game, shooting 55.9% from the field and 42.6% from distance.
The Warriors’ blowout has been more exception than the norm, though. BK is allowing 116.4 points, letting teams shoot 50.2% from the field and 37.7% from deep.
Bucks vs Nets Prediction
You don’t sit at the top of the NBA without bounce-back ability, and Milwaukee has shown that, going 4-0 against the spread following a loss.
This will be the second of four meetings between the two teams, with the Bucks besting BK 110-99 at the end of October. The Bucks have been a great bet in this head-to-head, piling up a 19-6-1 ATS mark in their last 26 visits to Brooklyn.
The Nets are just 6-9-1 ATS at home this year, and their cover vs the Warriors was their first at Barclays in five games, dating back to Dec 2 against the Raptors.
However, they’re currently playing their best ball, and are 4-1 ATS in their last five. Look for them to keep the good times rolling, with or without Kyrie in this heavyweight tilt.
Pick:
- Nets -1 (-110); 1 unit to win 0.91 units
- NBA Betting Record: 17-14 ATS, 1-1 ML, 2-3 o/u, 0-2 parlays; -2.10 units
Eric Rosales
Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
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