Game Of The Week: Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks

It's time for the Nets to close it out against Milwaukee Thursday. Right? The Nets overcame a 17-point deficit to take a 3-2 series lead in Tuesday's 114-108 win. Kevin Durant dropped 49 points. Grabbed 17 rebounds. Dished 10 assists. Blocked two shots. Played three games of chess at once and won them all. Actually left the building briefly to play a few innings of baseball for the Yankees. After the game, Giannis Antetokounpo called Durant the greatest player in the world. OK fine, we get it. Durant is here and it's his time. But slow down. The Bucks are actually three-point favorers tonight at home. 

Durant and the Nets have been playing both basketball and a game of injury musical chairs this year in the regular and postseasons. Their most recent losses to injury have included James Harden going down with a hamstring strain in Game 1 and Kyire Irving suffering a sprained ankle in Game 4. Irving remains sidelined, but Harden is back after playing 46 minutes on Tuesday. But while Durant was busy notching a triple double, Harden struggled Tuesday, scoring just five points on 1-for-10 shooting from the field and 0-for-8 from-3. Don't expect a repeat of that kind of performance from Harden though. The Big 3 have played just eight games together in the regular season and six games in the playoffs. The bottom line is, they need Harden on the floor, and play better when he's in the lineup, no matter how few points he scores. 

But wait! Milwaukee is undefeated at home this postseason, which no doubt contributes to the Bucks being favored. Antetokounpo is averaging 39.7 PPG against Brooklyn, and 27.4 during the playoffs. They just may have enough to get a win at home and keep this series alive. But there can be no allowing KD to go for 49. There can be no blowing 17-point leads. Or 16-point leads. Or any leads. Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez will all have to show up. Antetokounpo can't do it alone, just like KD ultimately can't do it alone. James Harden will do his best to prevent that from happening. but if Milwaukee can keep him to something around five points again that should help.   

The Bucks have caught a break with Irving being out and Harden not at 100%. I think they take this one at home. Durant might cool down a bit tonight, but look for him to explode for 50 in a Game 7 win in Brooklyn. In an NBA season that saw a resurgence of interest in New York City's NBA teams, that seems only fitting.