Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction and Preview | Oct. 27, 2024

The Milwaukee Bucks will travel to New York to face Eastern Conference rivals the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Sunday evening. Both of these teams are coming off double digit losses and will be looking to get their seasons back on track with a win.

Coach Doc River is under pressure to steady the ship after the Bucks suffered a disappointing home loss against the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Brooklyn is yet to win a game this season and will be hoping a return to the Barclays Center can inspire a much-needed victory.

Last season, the Bucks finished with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference (49-33). With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and the core of their roster returning, they once again begin the campaign as one of the favorites for the Eastern Conference title.

It has been a difficult few seasons for the Nets, who are now in rebuild mode after the depatures of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Mikal Bridges over the last 18 months. In the 2023-24 season, the Nets finished with a 32-50 regular season record.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets odds, preview and prediction

Sunday's matchup between the Bucks and Nets will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and is set to tip off at 6:00 p.m. EST. The game will be shown on YES and FDSWI. It will also be available to stream on FuboTV (regional restrictions may apply).

Moneyline: Bucks (-450) , Nets (+340)

Spread: Bucks -9.5 (-110) , Nets +9.5 (-110)

Total (Over/Under): Over 231.5 (-115) , Under 231.5 (-105)

Note: Odds are subject to change close to tip off. Odds listed were based on available information at the time of writing.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets preview:

Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez tries to block a shot by Brooklyn Nets guard Cameron Thomas at Fiserv Forum. Photo Credit: Imagn

A strong 30-point outing from Damian Lillard saw the Bucks win their opening game against the Philadelphia 76ers 124-109. The team returned to Fiserv Forum for their home opener on Friday, but were given a wake up call when the Chicago Bulls outplayed them in the second half to hand Milwaukee their first loss of the campaign.

The defense has been the problem area for the Bucks early in the year. They are conceding a 121 points per game to opponents over their first two games. Giannis Antetokounmpo currently leads the roster in points (31.5) and rebounds (12.5), with Lillard leading the team in assists (7.0).

The Nets brought in Spanish coach Jordi Fernández in April to help rebuild and develop a young roster. Fernández, who is in his first NBA head coaching job, will be looking to secure his first win of the campaign on Sunday. The Nets lost their season opener 120-116 to the Atlanta Hawks and followed that up with a 116-101 loss to the Orlando Magic.

Shooting guard Cam Thomas has been the standout player for the Brooklyn Nets. Over his first two games, he is averaging 30.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals.

The Bucks will be without Khris Middleton, who is still out with an ankle injury. AJ Green and Giannis Antetokounmpo are listed as game time decisions. Forwards Trendon Watford, Bojan Bogdanovic and center Day'Ron Sharpe are on the injured report for the Nets.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets preview betting tips

Damian Lillard has played a huge role in a Bucks offense that seems to have found their feet. Aside from scoring, the eight-time All-Star also leads the roster in assists. In what is projected to be a high scoring matchup, expect Lillard to go over 6.5 assists.

Cam Thomas is coming off a 36 point and a 24 point display in his opening two games. The guard has shot 47.7% from the field. He is also shooting an impressive 55.6% from behind the arc. Thomas should be able to score over 25.5 points against the Bucks on Sunday.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction

The Milwaukee Bucks have talent and experience on their side and go into this encounter as 9.5-point favorites. Led by a boisterous home crowd and the desire to get their first win of the season, the Brooklyn Nets will battle hard to keep this game close. The Bucks will likely win this game, but the Nets should cover the 9.5 points.