Bucks vs Nets
Spread: Nets -1
Total: 216
Key Injuries
Kyrie Irving - OUT (Ankle)
MVP CPT
Kevin Durant, BKN - He isn't cheap but this matchup is all about the top tier talent and filling in where you can. Both teams are playing incredibly tight rotations as well so Durant will likely be on the floor all game long. He has four straight games of AT LEAST a double-double as he triple-doubled in Game 5.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL - If you aren't rolling with Durant it is clear that Giannis is the next best thing. He is averaging 57 FP over the last four games, scoring at least 30 point while pulling down 10+ rebounds in each contest.
Khris Middleton, MIL - IF the Bucks are going to move on they need one of their secondary players to come through for them. In Game 6 that was Middleton who scored 38 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. This was the second game this series where Middleton went 30/10+ as in Game 1 he scored 35 points and pulled down 15 rebounds. They need that again tonight out of him.
FLEX
Jrue Holiday, MIL - Holiday has played well in this series and while he hasn't popped like the others, his consistent floor makes him a reasonable flex play that most will be looking at. Over te last three games he has scored at least 31 FP while putting up a series high 46 FP in Game 6.
James Harden, BKN - Harden was not great in his initial return but bounced back a bit in Game 6, scoring 40 FP. What I love here is the minutes for Harden, let us hope the production soon follows.
Blake Griffin, BKN - Blake has been very sturdy for the Nets in this series, giving them 30 minutes a night and solid overall production. In each game this series he has gone for at least 21 FP which a series high 26 FP in Game 6.
Jeff Green, BKN - Green entered the starting lineup in Game 6 and slumped, shooting just 2-of-9 from the floor. In Game 5 he popped off for 38 FP, scoring 27 actual points. Assuming he starts again he is in play for me.
Dart Throws
Pat Connaughton, MIL - The minutes have been there but the production was not in Game 6 as Connaughton was 0-for-5 from the floor for just 2.5 fantasy points. In the previous two games he went for 21 and 27 fantasy points. He should see 20+ minutes here again in Game 7 but lets hope for a better shooting night!
P.J. Tucker, MIL - He plays a lot of minutes but the production is very hit or miss. In Game 4, he had 26 FP but he has only gone for double-digit fantasy points in two games this series.
Player News
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) said after Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to the Knicks that his current stamina issues may be related to the problem that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season.
After an illness limited him to 13 first-half minutes in Boston’s series-opening defeat on Monday, Porzingis came off the bench in Game 2. Unfortunately, he could only give the Celtics 14 minutes. Following the game, Porzingis said his current problem may be related to the upper respiratory ailment that sidelined him for eight games late in the regular season. “Probably, probably,” Porzingis said. “I’ve had like ups and downs throughout until this point. Just now, had a big crash. Now, my energy, my everything, hasn’t been good, but who cares? Have to move forward and it will get better from this point.” While Boston’s shot selection was the focus following its two home defeats, Porzingis’ limited availability has also been a factor. He’ll hope to return to full health in time for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points (6-of-16 FGs), eight rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, two three-pointers and six turnovers in Game 2 against the Thunder on Wednesday.
This was Jokic’s worst performance of the postseason, and it came to an end in the third quarter. He fouled out with 1:17 left in the third, which brought his night to a close after he played 32 minutes. OKC was up 41 points when Jokic fouled out, so his night may have been close to over anyway. Jokic dominated Game 1, and the Thunder adjusted. Denver will need other players to step up if they want to have a chance of winning this series, but Jokic will also need to be better than he was in this game.
Michael Porter Jr. struggled on Wednesday and finished with just eight points (2-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Thunder.
MPJ was slightly better in the second half, as all eight of his points came in the third quarter. However, the game was already out of hand at that point after a terrible first half for both Porter Jr. and the Nuggets. MPJ shot 1-of-8 in Game 1, and they’ll need him to be much better moving forward. The series will now shift back to Denver, and MPJ will look to get back on track during the two home games before the series heads back to Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook provided a boost off the bench with 19 points (5-of-11 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), one rebound, five assists and one three-pointer in a 149-106 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Despite an ugly first half for Denver, Westbrook was productive and entered the break with 15 points. He didn’t add much in the second half, though he sat the entire fourth quarter, still it was enough to lead the Nuggets in scoring. Russ has been awesome over Denver’s last five games, and his continued success will be key to the Nuggets winning this series. Though this game was ugly, they still have homecourt advantage in this series. They’ll look to keep it in Game 3 on Friday.
Chet Holmgren recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 15 points (3-of-8 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
After struggling in Game 1, Holmgren bounced back and recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his career, with three of those coming this season. Aside from Game 3 against Memphis, Holmgren has swatted at least two shots in every game during these playoffs, which was a trend that continued in this game despite him only playing 26 minutes. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein (14/8/5/1/1) will look to continue to limit Nikola Jokic (17 points) in Game 3 on Friday.
Jalen Williams bounced back on Wednesday with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in Game 2 against the Nuggets.
Williams was criticized for his poor performance in the Thunder’s Game 1 loss, but he responded well in OKC’s blowout victory. He was on pace for a bigger night, but he only played 26 minutes and sat the entire fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. He shot the ball much better after shooting 5-of-20 in Game 1, and he’ll need that success to carry over into Game 3 in Denver on Friday.