3 Players Predicted to Step Up for Nets in Game 5

The Brooklyn Nets have their backs against the wall in Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Milwaukee has overtaken the Nets for the top odds to win the NBA Finals this season, and with Kyrie Irving out, the Nets will be facing a 3-2 series deficit if they can’t win on Tuesday. 

However, Brooklyn got a huge update with James Harden, as he's reportedly expected to play in Game 5 barring a setback in pregame warmups.

Even though Brooklyn is the home team, Milwaukee is a 3.5-point favorite on WynnBET to take home Game 5, and the Nets are going to need some big games from some unlikely sources in order to pull off the upset. 

I took a look at some player props on WynnBET, and here are three players that are predicted to fill the void with Irving out and Harden still at less than 100 percent. 

Mike James Projected Point Total: 11.5

Mike James wasn’t even in the NBA at the beginning of the 2020-21 season, but he’s become an important piece of the Nets’ bench unit. Now, with Irving hurt, James may slide into the starting lineup after playing 20 minutes in Game 4. 

James only scored five points on 2-of-6 shooting in Game 4, but he’s going to have to play more minutes and have a bigger role as a playmaker. Unless James and others can make outside shots, the Bucks are going to be able to double Kevin Durant every time he touches the ball on Tuesday. 

WynnBET has the over (-125) as the favorite to the under (+104) on James’ prop, but I’m not so sure he goes over 11.5 points. James scored just 12 points in over 30 minutes of action in Game 1, and he added 10 points in Game 2 on 4-of-12 shooting. 

The minutes will be there, but James has only scored over 11.5 points four times since joining the Nets this season. 

Blake Griffin Projected Point Total: 10.5

Blake Griffin has looked like a different player in a Nets uniform, but he’s struggled since his 18-point outburst in Game 1 against Milwaukee. 

Griffin averaged just 6.7 points per game over the next three contests, and he played a series-low 24:42 in Game 4. 

While Griffin is trending in the wrong direction, he did finish the regular season with double figures in points in four of his last six games. Still, Griffin has surpassed the 10.5-point barrier just two times this postseason. WynnBET has the over (-125) favored to the under (+104) on Griffin’s point projection, presumably because he will have more opportunities on Tuesday. 

If Blake can turn back the clock, the Nets may have a serious chance to win this game. Game 1 provided the blueprint, but I’m not overly confident in Griffin going over 10.5 points at -125 odds.

Joe Harris Projected Point Total: 14.5

If the Nets want to win this series, Joe Harris has to be better. After scoring 32 points over the first two games against Milwaukee, Harris shot just 4-for-19 in Games 3 and 4. 

That’s a backbreaker for the Nets, and they’ll need the sharpshooter on his game on Tuesday night considering he may be their second-best offensive option. 

WynnBET isn’t as confident in Harris to step up as it is in Griffin and James, as Harris’ under on his projected point total is favored (-116) to the over (-104). 

When Harris gets hot, he’s hard to stop, but he’s surpassed 14 points just twice in the playoffs. Brooklyn will undoubtedly have to get him shots, but it’s harder to get spot up shooters open looks when you’re without one of your best playmakers.

Now that Harden is expected to play, Harris should receive a major boost.

One of these three role players has to come up big for the Nets to have a chance. As good as Kevin Durant is, it’s hard to ask him and Harden at less than 100 percent to beat a strong defensive team like Milwaukee.