It was projected to be the most anticipated second-round matchup of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Neither team wasted any time making it official and now fans of NBA betting have a mouthwatering matchup on their hands.

The Milwaukee Bucks swept past the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets dispatched the Washington Wizards in five games, setting up a star-studded Eastern Conference second-round series.

Bucks vs. Nets Series Odds

Odds via DraftKings and current as of publication.

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Bucks vs. Nets Series Betting Tips

Pay No Mind To Regular Season

The Bucks beat the Nets in two of the three regular-season meetings. Do you know how many of those games featured both teams at full strength? Zero.

The Nets won the first meeting 125-123 in Brooklyn without Kyrie Irving. Irving and Kevin Durant played in the next two games, but James Harden didn’t. The Bucks won both 117-114 and 124-118.

Take The Over On Giannis

One common dominator: The Nets had no idea how to defend Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time defending NBA Most Valuable Player crushed Durant and anyone else who tried slowing him. In those three games, Antetokounmpo averaged 39.7 ppg.

His scoring flourished, but the rest of his game stayed steady, averaging 10.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Those numbers were slightly lower than his regular-season numbers (11.0/5.9). His boards and dishes took a leap in the opening-round sweep of the Heat (15.0/7.8).

If you are looking for an NBA Over-Under wager, Giannis is an excellent place to start.

Check out the best NBA playoff predictions from the top handicappers, only at bookiesEDGE

Healthy Nets = Tough Nets

Cynics may call it “load management” but the fact is Brooklyn had 38 different starting lineups this season, the franchise all-time high by 10, and 19 different players got at least one start. The Nets’ Big 3 of Durant, Harden and Irving managed only eight regular-season games together.

Does the lack of continuity matter? Not yet: Through 12 total games including playoffs, the Nets are 12-4 (.750) when all suit up.

One X-Factor

Looking for a player to back that isn’t one of the superstars? Start with Joe Harris of the Nets.

Harris averaged 13.4 ppg in the opening-round series, down from his 14.1 during the regular season. That makes sense - there were more shots to go around then. But his minutes have gone up in the playoffs, and his shooting is hotter. Harris led the NBA in 3-point shooting at 47.5%. So far this postseason he’s 17-of-33 on 3’s (51%), averaging just over four per game. The Bucks ranked dead-last in points allowed on 3’s per game.

Bucks vs. Nets Series Pick

These were the two highest-scoring offenses in the NBA. The Bucks ranked No. 1 at 120.1 ppg (compared to 118.6). The offenses won the regular-season meetings, too. Expect nothing less here.

In part because the Western Conference is such a challenge, Brooklyn has emerged as a strong NBA title odds favorite. Not surprising then, the Nets are also the favorite to win this series with the top sportsbooks. But the -200 odds are too strong for my liking. There is value in a Bucks team that had the NBA’s best record last year but is a better overall team this time around, in terms of experience and personnel (Jrue Holiday is a huge part of that).

Bucks +160 has more value. If you want to get specific, Bucks in 6 (+550 with DraftKings) - they won’t want a return to Brooklyn for Game 7.

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Bucks vs Nets Series Schedule

Game 1: Saturday, June 5, 7.30 p.m. ET, TNT

Games 2-7 TBD; Games 5-7 if necessary