Brooklyn Nets

Nets Face Bucks in Second Half of Home-And-Home Sequence

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:01 p.m. ET

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Dec 1, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) drives against Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets have traveled to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks tonight for the second straight game. After losing to Milwaukee on Thursday, the Nets sit at 5-13 this season.

For the second game of the Nets and Bucks home-and-home series, Brooklyn will visit Milwaukee tonight to take on the Bucks. On Thursday, the Bucks beat the Nets in a game which saw the Nets struggle offensively.

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With Thursday’s win, the Bucks improved to 9-8 on the season, while the Nets fell to 5-13. Brooklyn struggled to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 23 points on 50 percent shooting in 30 minutes. Milwaukee also got a solid performance from Jabari Parker, who scored 22 points on 64 percent shooting.

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The Nets, on the other hand, had multiple players score in double digits, but it wasn’t enough to knock off the Bucks. Brook Lopez led the Nets with 15 points. Sean Kilpatrick and Bojan Bogdanovic added 14 points and 13 points, respectively. Joe Harris also scored 11 points off the bench.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made his return on Thursday, although he did not start. Hollis-Jefferson, who had been dealing with a sore ankle, played 17 minutes off the bench in his return.

In heading to Milwaukee, the Nets are in search of their sixth win of the 2016-17 season.

Dec 1, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives past Brooklyn Nets forward Trevor Booker (35) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Nets’ Keys to Victory

The Nets need more from Brook Lopez

If Saturday’s matchup is anything like Thursday’s, it will be a slow offensive game for the Nets. It’s times like these when the Nets need their best player to step up. Lopez didn’t play bad last game, he led the team with 15 points, but he shot just 4-12 from the field. The Nets need to get the ball in Lopez’s hands, and if they’re going to win, Brooklyn needs a big game from Lopez. Obviously, the Nets will need production from the likes of Bogdanovic, Kilpatrick, and Booker as well, but if Lopez plays well, Brooklyn will have a chance.

Contain Giannis Antetokounmpo

As the saying goes, ‘you can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him.’ Antetokounmpo is a special talent, and with his build, he gives opposing teams headaches on both ends of the floor. “The Greek Freak” didn’t even play in the fourth quarter on Thursday, and still managed to lead all scorers with 23 points. There is a good chance he’ll give the Nets problems once again on Saturday, but if Brooklyn can contain him and limit his offensive impact, it would go a long way toward helping the Nets win.

Players to Watch

Nets: Brook Lopez (last game: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists)

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo (last game: 23 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals)

Dec 1, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Tony Snell (21) holds the ball defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Starters

Nets

The Nets may feel that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is ready to start after he played last game, in which case he would likely start over Kilpatrick. However, the above lineup is one the Nets have gone to while Hollis-Jefferson missed time.

Bucks

Injuries

Nets:

Bucks:

Key Matchup

Brook Lopez vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo: No, these two players don’t play the same position. Although Antetokounmpo can make an impact from any position on the floor, including center. The Nets go as Brook Lopez goes. Especially with Jeremy Lin out, Brooklyn relies heavily on Lopez. At this point, his fondness for three-pointers is well-known. If Lopez can heat up from beyond the arc on any given night, the Nets will have a chance. As for the Greek Freak, he’s going to get his points — and assists, rebounds, and steals, for that matter — so he’s definitely the player to watch when the Bucks take the floor.

The game will be broadcasted on YES Network at 5:00 PM EST. Join the conversation by tweeting @NetsBlogFS.

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