Live Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks, 3:30 PM EST

Here we go. It’s time for the Brooklyn Nets to show that they are indeed the powerhouse int the East.

They’ll get that chance on Sunday afternoon on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks, who sit 3.5 games behind the Nets in the East; and 3 games behind the second place Philadelphia 76ers.

James Harden is out again for the Nets but Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will suit up alongside each other, while on the other side of the ball it looks like Giannis will likely play.

Man, this is going to be a good one.

Join us after the game on Clubhouse for a live conversation. There should be plenty to talk about!

https://www.joinclubhouse.com/join/netsdaily/4uXkZxN3/M5G85L8v

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (43-21) at Milwaukee Bucks (39-24)

WHEN: 3:30 PM EST

WHERE: ABC (national), YES 2 (local), WFAN (radio)

Game Preview.

The guard matchup today will be a marquee one. Jrue Holiday has been incredibly reliable when he’s played this year and is a major upgrade over Eric Bledsoe. He can initiate the offense and score a little bit, but his defense is going to be his calling card come the playoffs. He’ll get to match up with Kyrie Irving this afternoon. Irving took Thursday off to rest and came back with a quality outing on Friday against the Blazers. Irving can score at all three levels and is a matchup nightmare for anyone who guards him. Irving didn’t play the first time around, so he’ll present another new wrinkle in Brooklyn’s attack for Milwaukee to counter.

Get your running shoes out. The Bucks are third in pace this season and the Nets are eleventh. Brooklyn is of course tops in offensive efficiency so if the game speeds up, they may have a slight advantage. Milwaukee has been experimenting a bit more with their defense this season and a challenge like today will help them figure out what they’d like to do come playoff time.

For more on the Bucks, check out Brew Hoop.