There are advantages to not getting too far in the Emirates Cup. You lose a chance at big bucks, but you get some time off. Today’s game not only comes after three days of rest since the Pacers win but is their only game in an eight-day stretch. They next play on Friday in Memphis vs. the Grizzlies. With the Nets injuries, that’s a good thing. Oh yeah, next Saturday is December 15, the unofficial opening of NBA trade season.
So, with a decent amount of days to chill at home, the Brooklyn Nets will be back in action Sunday vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, looking to finish off the week with two wins against the Central Division, having beat the Indiana Pacers three days ago. Their challenge today: Milwaukee is looking to bounce back into the winning column after suffering two straight losses against the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks.
Where To Watch
Catch the action early in the afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain), Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot injury recovery), Ziaire Williams (left knee sprain), Jaylen Martin (G-League), Dariq Whitehead (G-League), and Jacky Cui (G-League) will all be out. The Long Island Nets will also be playing at home this afternoon. Noah Clowney is questionable with a left ankle sprain. However, the big news is that Dorian Finney-Smith is available. He’s missed four straight and six of the last seven due to a left ankle sprain.
For the Bucks, Chris Livingston will be out due to being assigned to the Milwaukee Herd of the G-League.
The Game
No matter how many trade rumors we may hear this season, the fact of the matter now is that the Bucks still have Giannis Antetokounmpo ... and the Nets have all their veterans. As the league’s leading scorer, Giannis is averaging 32.5 points a game on an absurd 61% shooting percentage from the field — while also putting up 11 rebounds and six assists. Not only has he been playing like a MVP, but he’s also been leading like an MVP as well. After calling out his own team on their lack of desire, the team won seven straight before dropping the last two. The Bucks lost to the Celtics by six on Friday in Boston.
So far in this season, it’s safe to say that they are their own worst enemy as they sit with only a winning percentage of .500 and one spot above the Nets who beat them in Jordi Fernandez’s first win back on October 27. It’s certainly not their offense. They have the 11th best offensive rating and are third in 3-point percentage. It’s also not their defense either, as they have the 13th best defensive rating.
What hurts the Bucks is their turnovers, which has to cost you on nights when you’re allowing careless mistakes to translate to easy baskets. They give up 15 a game, a lot for a veteran club
For the Nets, great news! We have Dorian Finney-Smith back, which means we have a spot up shooter who will be able to serve as a big body to defend multiple positions. Ben Simmons can also play a key role as his strong frame combined with his quickness could hinder Giannis’ brute force on his way to the rim. Ben10 has in the past been effective vs. Giannia.
The name of the game will be getting out to shooters, because the lane will collapse if Giannis drives. If the Nets can do that, they can give Milwaukee a good run maybe even a win.
Player to Watch: Damian Lillard
After joining the Bucks, Dame Dolla has played Robin to Giannis’ Batman, but I believe we forget that he used to be the main character himself. Averaging 26 a game, Lillard can still pull up from anywhere, and his shooting ability will be lethal if not guarded properly,
There was some suggestion earlier in the season when the Bucks were looking ugly that Dame could be on the trade block but under the sting CBA, that would be a tough sell. Despite his Hall of Fame credentials, Lillard will earn around $160 million over the next three years finishing at $58 million when he’s 36 years old.
Lillard and the Bucks got some help Friday with the return of, Khris Middleton who made his season debut vs. the Celtics after off-season surgery and a long recovery. Middleton, a three time All-Star, finished with eleven points and five assists in 23 minutes of action, a good start for the 33-year-old vet.
From the Vault
One of the greatest games in the decade plus that Barclays Center has been open was Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on June 15, 2021. Kevin Durant had 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, sending the Nets back into the lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 114-108 victory over the Bucks.
As Zach Lowe said at the time, it wasn’t just one of the greatest individual playoff games in NBA history. It was one the greatest games in any pro sports playoffs ever.
Enjoy but with a little bit of sadness knowing what came next.
Only one Nets player remains from that game: Nic Claxton. There are five Bucks, however, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis Jr. and Pat Connaughton, all now 30+.
More reading; Brew Hoop and SB Nation.