Two massive games today and SportsTips’ free NBA picks have just what you need! Before you place your bets on today’s action, make sure you catch our in-depth analysis for both games, as well as who we have predicted to come out on top!
The Milwaukee Bucks will look to level their series with the Brooklyn Nets at 2-2 while the Phoenix Suns have the ability to sweep the Denver Nuggets and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Find out who we have winning both games in our NBA picks below!
Brooklyn Nets @ Milwaukee Bucks (Game 4) – 3pm EDT
After a thrilling, yet low scoring, game three, the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are set to go at it again. With their backs against the wall, Milwaukee came out hard, on both ends, from the jump and were able to hold on for the nail-biting 86-83 victory.
The Bucks got out to a 30-11 lead after the first quarter, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton scoring 15 points each to dominate the period. However, Brooklyn, behind surprise offensive weapon Bruce Brown, came back into the game, only trailing by three at the main break.
The Bucks locked up the Nets in the closing moments. pic.twitter.com/cRtlVe7OJX
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 11, 2021
Following that, the biggest lead by either side was just five points and it was Milwaukee who were able to make the right plays at the right time in order to come away with the victory. Jrue Holiday, who had a shocking offensive night, hit the go-ahead layup with just 11 seconds left, and that was enough for the Bucks to get their first win of the series and shift momentum to their side.
After combining for 30 points through the first two games, Middleton went off for game highs of 35 points and 15 rebounds. Antetokounmpo was just behind him with 33 points and 14 boards of his own, with the duo combining for 79% of Milwaukee’s points. No other player scored more than nine points, in what was an incredible performance from the two stars.
On the other side of the ball, Kevin Durant overcame a slow shooting start to finish with 30 points, 11 boards, five assists and four steals. Durant had just seven in the first half but had 12 in the third and 11 in the fourth, including seven points in 62 seconds to give the Nets an 83-80 lead with 1:23 left on the clock. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, they went 0-4 from the field after that, including two missed layups from Brown.
Brown finished with 16 for the game, scoring 10 in the second quarter to help Brooklyn get back in it, including a personal 8-0 run. However when it mattered most, Brown’s play diminished, going 1-6 from the field plus committing a turnover.
James Harden (hamstring strain) has been ruled out for Game 4 vs. the Bucks, but is “progressing”
Jeff Green is questionable. pic.twitter.com/00ysM2MuXZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 12, 2021
With news of James Harden being ruled out yet again, Kyrie Irving will need to step up if the Nets want to head back to Brooklyn with a 3-1 lead. Irving has played adequately as second fiddle in his absence, averaging 23.3 points in this series, but shot just 9/22 (40.1%) in game three and only had one assist.
The positive for Milwaukee is that they won the game despite only two players playing well offensively for the entire game, meaning there is still plenty of room for improvement. They have proven that they can get into the Nets defensively, restricting them to just 29 points in the first and fourth quarter combined on Thursday, and will have plenty of confidence from that. Brooklyn is the better offensive team but Milwaukee is playing better at home and should be able to level the series.
NBA Pick – Milwaukee Bucks (+114)
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Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets (Game 4) – 8pm EDT
Another dominant performance from the Phoenix Suns saw them take a commanding 3-0 series lead, with the opportunity to eliminate the Denver Nuggets tonight. Nikola Jokic gave absolutely everything for the Nuggets but ultimately his lack of support was on show yet again, losing 102-116.
Nikola Jokic tonight in the L:
32 Points
20 Rebounds
10 AssistsMVP pic.twitter.com/astO4YdTFz
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 12, 2021
The newly crowned MVP finished with 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in NBA playoff history to put up 30/20/10. Despite this spectacular performance, the four other Denver starters combined for just 30 points, 11 rebounds and one assist and the Nuggets’ offense looked lacklustre for the third straight game.
Luckily Monte Morris and Will Barton came off the bench to score 21 and 14 points respectively, or else the end result could have been a lot worse than it ended up being. All five Phoenix starters scored in double figures in what was a dominant performance from the Suns, who won both the first and third quarters by 10 points.
Devin Booker had his best scoring game of the series, finishing with a team high 28 points while Chris Paul continued his exceptional series with 27 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. With the two guards controlling the game on both ends of the floor, Phoenix looked almost unstoppable and helped Deandre Ayton get another double double, his third straight.
Chris Paul in the 4th quarter this series:
30 PTS
12-13 FG
4-4 3P
8 AST
0 TOV
+20 +/-(h/t @anthonyVslater) pic.twitter.com/4XkM0EEAXB
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 12, 2021
Denver certainly has to put up a better fight given they are now facing elimination, but Phoenix is clearly the better team in this series and will have a hunger to finish the series as soon as possible. Michael Porter Jr, despite scoring 15 points, has almost become unplayable as his defense has been atrocious, allowing Paul, and Phoenix to take full control.
NBA Pick – Phoenix Suns (-156)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
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