The Brooklyn Nets face off against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of the second round of the Playoffs. This game is scheduled to take place at 7:30 PM EST and will be played in the Barclays Arena.
While on-paper the Bucks looked like a tough matchup for the Brooklyn Nets, Game 1 was certainly the opposite. Despite missing James Harden for majority of the game due to a hamstring injury, the Nets looked comfortable against the Bucks.
While the Bucks understandably dominated the paint, the Nets clapped back at Giannis & Co. with their elite distribution and three point shooting.
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Apart from the usual suspects of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets saw their rotational players put up big time performances.
Blake Griffin, Joe Harris and Mike James combined for 49 points and led the Nets to a 115-107 victory. Steve Nash will hope that his role players can maintain this fantastic form and help the team take a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Milwaukee Bucks meanwhile looked rusty against the Nets. Playing after a 4-5 day layoff, the Bucks initially looked impressive but then eventually allowed the Nets to take control of the game. One of the prime reasons for this was the lack of knocking down jumpers.
After having incredible shooting nights against the Heat, the Bucks went cold against the Nets in Game 1, shooting 6 of their 30 attempted three pointers.
Even Khris Middleton had a poor game, shooting only 6-25 from the field. Coach Budenholzer has to figure out how to contain this Nets team and also work on some of Milwaukee’s offensive schemes.
Predictions
The Nets certainly came out all guns blazing against the Bucks in the first game of the series and certainly look like an unstoppable force. But despite their great form, the Nets might not have it as easy as the first game because of their injury issues.
The Bucks have also contained the duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the regular season and can go back to the same game-plan and will come out hard.
Considering the lack of a superstar like Harden, the Bucks had a pretty slender edge over the Nets in today’s game.
Brooklyn Nets injury updates and lineup prediction
The Nets will be missing some key players due to injuries. Guard Spencer Dinwiddie is sidelined with a knee injury, while utility forward Jeff Green is out with a foot injury.
Alize Johnson is also out with an ankle injury, while the biggest blow for the Nets is James Harden missing the game due to hamstring tightness. After a dominant victory in Game 1, the Nets will be determined to continue their winning streak in Game 2.
Probable Lineup
Mike James (G)
Kyrie Irving (G)
Joe Harris (F)
Kevin Durant (F)
Blake Griffin (C)
Milwaukee Bucks: Injury updates and lineup prediction
The Bucks will miss 2 players to injury concerns. Forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo is out with a knee injury and is sidelined indefinitely. Starting guard Donte DiVencenzo is out for the rest of the Playoffs with a foot injury.
After a rather disappointing loss in Game 1, the Bucks have to make a comeback and putting up a dominant performance in Game 2, might be the perfect way to turn the table around.
Probable Lineup
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Jrue Holiday (G)
PJ Tucker (G)
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Khris Middleton (F)
Brook Lopez (C)
Who will win between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks? Let us know in the comments below.