Brooklyn Nets (20-59) beat Milwaukee Bucks (31-48) 96-90 at home on Tuesday, April 7 in a low-scoring game: just 186 combined points between the two teams.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Nets struck first, taking the opening quarter 30-29 and a 1-point lead after one. The Nets kept the pressure on with a 19-14 second quarter, carrying a 6-point lead into halftime.
The Nets won the third 21-19 to create some separation, taking a 8-point lead into the fourth. The Bucks took the fourth 28-26; the Nets held on for a 96-90 regulation win.
What decided it
The Nets made 28 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 6.2 for the Bucks. The Nets took better care of the ball, turning it over on 10.9% of possessions compared with 20.1% for the Bucks. The points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
The Bucks did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 23.7% against 7.9%. The Nets made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 93 possessions per team, the Nets produced 102.9 points per 100 possessions to 96.4 for the Bucks.
The Nets' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 38-18.
Who made the difference
E.J. Liddell was the game's biggest individual force for BKN: 21 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast on 7-9 shooting. His Game Score of 20.4 led everyone. His team was +2 with him on the floor.
A.J. Green led the Bucks with 20 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast on 6-13 shooting, good for a 16.2 Game Score.
Taurean Prince (16 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 54% for the Nets.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Brooklyn Nets lead 4-2.
The Nets are now 20-59, and the Bucks are 31-48. The Nets last five before this game: L-W-L-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.