Nets Struggling but Optimistic, Bucks Building Momentum for the New Year
Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets
The Milwaukee Bucks (17-14) will host the Brooklyn Nets (12-20) on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in a crucial Eastern Conference showdown. This matchup is set to tip off at 8:00 PM ET. The Bucks enter the game as 14-point favorites, with the game total set at 217.5 points.
Milwaukee is coming off a 120-112 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, while the Nets are looking to snap a four-game losing streak after a 102-101 loss to Orlando earlier in the week. With the Nets’ recent struggles and the Bucks’ strong performances, this game promises to be a pivotal contest as both teams look to solidify their standing in the Eastern Conference.
Brooklyn Nets: Struggling but Optimistic with New Additions
The Brooklyn Nets have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games. Their most recent victory came against the Bucks, a 111-105 win on December 26, but they’ve failed to replicate that success in the past week. The Nets did shoot an impressive 47% from the field, including 42.1% from three-point range in the win, but their overall performance has been inconsistent, especially in high-pressure games.
Brooklyn has made some significant moves to reshape their roster. The Nets traded Dennis Schröder to the Golden State Warriors, as well as Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, Brooklyn acquired D’Angelo Russell (12.4 PPG, 4.7 APG), who returns to the team after a stint with the Lakers. Additionally, Cam Thomas (24.7 PPG), who had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, returned to the lineup against Orlando, giving the Nets a scoring boost.
Despite these changes, the Nets remain 24th in NET rating, with 21st in offensive rating and 23rd in defensive rating. Their struggles on both ends of the floor have been evident this season, particularly in close games where they have failed to capitalize on key opportunities.
Milwaukee Bucks: Looking to Build on Momentum
The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to build on their 120-112 win over Indiana, a game in which they overcame a 19-point deficit to secure the victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the standout performer, scoring 30 points, with 26 of those coming in the second half to lead the Bucks’ comeback. As the Bucks aim for a better second half of the season, they are showing signs of improvement after a slow start, winning 7 of their last 10 matchups against Brooklyn.
Despite their recent struggles, the Bucks have a solid foundation, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way. However, their core players—Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton—are all in their mid-30s, and age could become a factor as the season progresses. To counteract this, the Bucks have added depth with offseason signings like Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince, who have provided much-needed support.
Milwaukee ranks 10th in NET rating, with a 14th in offensive rating and 8th in defensive rating, indicating that they are among the top teams on both ends of the floor. With a strong supporting cast and the consistent play of Giannis, the Bucks are well-positioned to compete for a top playoff spot.
Conclusion
Milwaukee comes into this game with the advantage in terms of both form and depth. With Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge, the Bucks should have enough firepower to overcome the Nets, who are still working to find their rhythm with a new-look roster. The Nets’ struggles on defense and inconsistency on offense are likely to be exposed by the Bucks’ strong offensive and defensive play.
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