Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks December 8th 2024

The Bucks (-251) are favored by 6.5 points over the Nets (+208) in this Eastern Conference matchup. The over/under line is currently at 218.5 points. Milwaukee (11-11) is currently on a two-game losing streak and is 7th in the East. Brooklyn (10-13) is 8th in the East and 3rd in the Atlantic Division.

This game will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and will tip-off at 3:30 ET. The game will be shown on YES.

Bucks vs. Nets Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets
• Where: Brooklyn at Barclays Center
• Date: Sunday, December 8th
• Betting Odds MIL -6.5, MIL -251 | BKN +208 O/U 218.5

The Bucks Can Win If…

The Bucks fell to 11-11 on the season after a 111-105 loss to the Celtics on Friday. Milwaukee was +8 point underdogs on the road but managed to cover the spread, keeping the game closer than expected. The total points for the game ended at 216, falling short of the 228.5 O/U line.

Milwaukee took a 4-point lead into the 4th quarter after outscoring Boston 30-24 in the 2nd quarter and tying 25-25 in the 3rd. However, the Celtics dominated the final period, outscoring the Bucks 33-23 to seal the win.

Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for 61 points in the Bucks’ 105-point effort against the Celtics, with Lillard contributing 31 points and 4 assists, and Giannis adding 30 points and 11 rebounds. Lillard hit 4 threes, though he shot just 33.3% from deep, while Gary Trent Jr. connected on 3 triples at a 60% rate, finishing with 11 points.

The Bucks struggled from the field, shooting 42.6%, and made just 11 threes, hitting 37.9% from beyond the arc. Lillard scored 12 points in the 2nd quarter, while Giannis added 11 in the 3rd.

Defensively, the Bucks held the Celtics to 111 points, giving up 29 in the 1st quarter and 33 in the 4th, but they limited Boston to 24 points in the 2nd quarter and 25 in the 3rd.

Milwaukee allowed Boston to shoot 46% from the field, including 32% from three-point range, as the Celtics made 17 threes. The Bucks sent Boston to the line 16 times, where they hit 14 free throws. Milwaukee recorded 39 defensive rebounds, gave up 7 offensive boards, and finished with 4 steals and 2 blocks.

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Milwaukee has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 109 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Bucks have a straight up record of 8-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 4-5-1.
• Over their last three games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Nets Can Win If…

The Nets improved to 10-13 on the season with a 99-90 win over the Pacers on Wednesday. Brooklyn, who were +3 point underdogs, covered the spread with the victory. The game’s total points of 189 fell well short of the 225-point line.

Brooklyn jumped out to an early lead, holding the Pacers to 17 points in the 1st quarter and 18 in the 2nd. After a big 3rd quarter from Indiana, the Nets led 75-70 heading into the 4th. A key 10-0 run helped Brooklyn extend their lead from 82-80 to 92-80, allowing them to close out the game.

The Nets managed just 99 points in their win over the Pacers, shooting 43.2% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, connecting on 12 threes. Cameron Johnson led the way, hitting 7 threes at a 53.8% clip, finishing with 26 points and 7 rebounds.

Nicolas Claxton contributed 16 points on 87.5% shooting, while Shake Milton added 15 points and 4 assists. Johnson scored 11 points in the 1st quarter, and Milton added 8 in the 2nd.

Brooklyn’s defense was on point against the Pacers, holding them to 90 points on 42% shooting. The Nets were especially effective from beyond the arc, limiting Indiana to just 8 threes on 24% shooting. Brooklyn’s defensive effort was strong in the 1st and 2nd quarters, where they allowed only 17 and 18 points, respectively.

The Nets also did a great job on the boards, giving up just 5 offensive rebounds while collecting 36 defensive boards. They added 12 steals and 6 blocks to their defensive performance.

• Although Brooklyn has a straight up record of 4-6 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 7-3. The team averaged 110 points per game in these games.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Nets have a straight up record of 2-3 and an ATS mark of 2-3.
• In their last three games, the Nets have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Bucks is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 143-91. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Bucks at -6.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 218.5 and our model has the Bucks and Nets finishing with a combined 234 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Bucks: Reuniting Their Big Three

The Milwaukee Bucks (15-9) enter Sunday’s game looking for rhythm after consecutive losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. Khris Middleton’s season debut on Friday marked a pivotal moment for the Bucks, as the three-time All-Star joined Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard for the first time this season.

Middleton, recovering from offseason surgery on both ankles, scored 11 points in 23 minutes during Milwaukee’s 111-105 loss in Boston. While he struggled to find his shot, Middleton was encouraged by the opportunity to close out the game.

“Everybody wants to start and everybody wants to finish games,” Middleton said. “I didn’t get to start tonight, but I definitely was happy I got to finish the game.”

Key Players for Milwaukee

• Giannis Antetokounmpo: Averaging 30.4 points and 10.7 rebounds, Giannis remains the heart of the Bucks’ attack, but he shot just 2 of 8 in the fourth quarter against Boston.
• Damian Lillard: Lillard added 31 points against the Celtics, continuing to showcase his scoring prowess and ability to handle clutch situations.
• Khris Middleton: In only his first game, Middleton’s performance will be under scrutiny as he works to regain his All-Star form and solidify the Bucks’ chemistry.

Milwaukee’s challenge lies in improving late-game execution, as evidenced by their 8-of-24 shooting in the fourth quarter against Boston.

Nets: Seeking Defensive Consistency

The Brooklyn Nets (10-14) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 99-90 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. The victory featured Brooklyn’s best defensive performance of the season, holding Indiana to under 100 points while limiting them to 42.7% shooting from the field and 24.2% from 3-point range.

“Guys across the roster did a great job flying around, pressuring the ball,” said Cameron Johnson, who scored 26 points in his return from an ankle injury.

Key Players for Brooklyn

• Cameron Johnson: His scoring and defensive presence are critical, especially after his 26-point performance against Indiana.
• Nic Claxton: Claxton added 16 points and provides an interior presence to counter Milwaukee’s size.
• Shake Milton: Milton’s 15 points and timely playmaking, including an alley-oop to Ben Simmons during a decisive run, highlight his importance to Brooklyn’s rotation.

Brooklyn’s focus will be maintaining defensive intensity and finding consistency against one of the league’s top offenses.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nic Claxton: Giannis’ ability to dominate the paint will be tested by Claxton’s shot-blocking and defensive agility.
• Damian Lillard vs. Brooklyn’s Guards: Lillard’s scoring and playmaking will challenge the Nets’ backcourt defense, particularly in high-pressure moments.
• Cameron Johnson vs. Khris Middleton: Both players returning from injuries, their ability to contribute on both ends could tilt the game.

What’s at Stake?

For the Bucks, Sunday’s game offers a chance to get their newly reunited core in sync and avoid their first three-game skid since early November. Establishing chemistry and improving late-game execution will be critical as they aim to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference.

The Nets, meanwhile, look to build on their defensive momentum and climb out of a slow start to the season. Consistency on both ends of the floor remains a priority as they face one of the league’s top teams.

Who will dominate the court? Find out in NBA Scoring Leader Odds & Predictions!

Prediction

The Bucks’ star power, combined with the urgency to end their losing streak, makes them slight favorites. However, if Brooklyn can replicate its defensive effort from the win over Indiana and contain Milwaukee’s late-game scoring, the Nets could pull off an upset. Fans can expect an intense, closely contested battle in Brooklyn.