The Brooklyn Nets will be shorthanded when they face the Milwaukee Bucks tonight in a crucial Game 5 of their 2021 NBA Playoff series.
Both James Harden and Kyrie Irving will be unavailable for the Nets this evening, with Harden still nursing a hamstring injury suffered almost immediately following the series’ opening tip-off, while Irving recently went down in Game 4 with an ankle sprain and is set to miss at least one contest. Each is officially listed as out on the team’s injury report for Game 5.
The surging Bucks will look to take advantage of the situation with the series now returning to Brooklyn, where Milwaukee lost the first two games before evening things up with back-to-back victories at home. The visitors are coming off a convincing 107-96 win with Giannis Antetokounmpo piling up 34 points and 12 boards, bringing his averages for the conference semifinals to an impressive 29.8 points and 12 rebounds across four contests.
The Nets will need to find a way to stop Antetokounmpo tonight while still putting up enough points of their own to hang onto homecourt advantage. Much of the scoring load will fall on Kevin Durant’s shoulders, the last healthy member of the squad’s “Big Three”. Durant chipped in a team-high 28 points in Brooklyn’s last outing, but shot a paltry 9-of-25 from the field and connected on just one of his eight three-point attempts.
Until the Nets prove they can find a scoring spark elsewhere, Milwaukee’s defenders will be able to key in on Durant and stymie their opponent’s offense. Joe Harris is Brooklyn’s top active scorer behind Durant, but the veteran forward is averaging a meager 12.2 points during the 2021 NBA Playoffs and has contributed just 11 points in total over the last two contests.
Will the Nets be able to overcome this rash of injuries and find a path to victory in Game 5, or will the Bucks capitalize against depleted opponent and pull ahead for the first time in the series? You can find picks and predictions for the outcome of this critical matchup at the end of this article. Before getting to those, however, take a look at the latest NBA Playoff bracket, as well as the full schedule, start time, TV channel, live stream site, updated odds and more for this exciting Nets vs. Bucks battle.
NBA Playoffs 2021 Bracket
No. 2 Brooklyn Nets vs. No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks
Game 5 Viewing Guide
Date and Start Time: The Nets and Bucks will clash at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday, June 15. Game 5 has a tip-off time set for 8:30 p.m. ET.
TV: TNT will televise the Brooklyn-Milwaukee contest. The broadcast will feature Marv Albert on play-by-play, Grant Hill as an analyst and Jared Greenberg as a reporter.
Live Stream: WatchTNT will be streaming Game 5 of the Nets-Bucks series in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Series Standings: The Eastern Conference semifinals series between Brooklyn and Milwaukee is currently tied 2-2. The Nets won the initial two games at home, but then dropped consecutive matchups on the road leading up to Game 5. The Bucks now have an opportunity to steal homecourt advantage by notching their third straight victory this evening.
See below for the full list of scores from all four previous games, as well as the full schedule for the remainder of the Nets-Bucks series below:
Series Scores And Schedule
All Times ET
Game 1: Nets 115 – Bucks 107
Game 2: Nets 125 – Bucks 86
Game 3: Bucks 86 – Nets 83
Game 4: Bucks 107 – Nets 96
Game 5: Tuesday, June 15 at 8:30 p.m. on TNT
Game 6: Thursday, June 17 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
Game 7*: Saturday, June 19 at TBD on TNT
*If Necessary
Nets vs. Bucks Betting Odds
NBA odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Game 5
Spread: MIL -4
The line on this game currently favors the Bucks by four points. The spread moved a full point in Milwaukee’s direction since it opened at MIL -3, a testament to the large number of tickets written for the visiting side. As of Tuesday afternoon, 61% of all bets and 76% of the cash wagered against the spread is on the Bucks to cover in Game 5.
Total: Over-Under 219.5 Points
The Game 5 total has been rapidly falling after opening with an over-under of 223.5 points. After news broke that Kyrie Irving would be sidelined for the contest, the public began hammering the under. With only hours left until the contest’s 8:30 p.m. ET, just 41% of bets and 42% of the money risked on the total is for the over. This lopsided action has moved the matchup’s over-under down to 219.5.
Moneyline: MIL -180, BKN +145
Few seem to believe the Nets have what it takes to win tonight without two of their biggest stars. That sentiment is being reflected in the moneyline betting trends, as an overwhelming amount of the public is taking Milwaukee’s side in Game 5. Despite coming in as -180 chalk—which means one would need to risk $1.80 to win $1—the Bucks have garnered nearly three-fourths of all moneyline tickets (73%) and a whopping 86% of the handle.
Game 5 Pick: Nets +4
Game 5 Prediction: Bucks 110 – Nets 107
Series Odds
To Advance: Bucks -140, Nets +120
Future Odds
2021 NBA Championship: Nets +260, Bucks +390
