NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking points from Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks

Final Score: Nets 133 - 128 Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have clinched the best record in the association with their recent win against the Philadelphia 76ers. They have the home-court advantage throughout the playoffs and are the hands-down favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference.

The game against the Brooklyn Nets gave them a chance to register 60 wins this season. However, they were without Giannis Antetokounmpo (sore calf) and could not reach their goal as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Bucks in a 133-128 back-and-forth game.

It is unclear at this point in time whether Giannis will be ready for the Bucks' last two games this regular-season. In this article, we take a look at the three talking points from the Nets' impressive win against the Bucks.

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#3 The Nets are back to the sixth spot in Eastern Conference but the race for a spot in the playoffs is still on

D'Angelo Russell poured in 25 points against the Bucks

The Brooklyn Nets have been playing basketball at a whole different level this season and even though it looked like they were a lock for playoffs last month, they somehow lost their way and are currently fighting for a spot in the postseason.

They entered the Fiserv Forum losing four of their last five games and with so much at stake. D'Angelo Russell has been the cornerstone of their success this season and they needed everything they could get from him to get the win in Milwaukee.

Even though the game went down to the wire, the Nets eventually got out of the stadium with the win and that is all that matters. This win helped the Nets better their record to 40-40 and they are now back to the sixth spot in the conference.

Their record is tied with the Orlando Magic but the Nets have the tie-breaker over the Magic. However, the race for a spot in the playoffs is still on and the Nets cannot take their remaining two games lightly.

If the Brooklyn Nets do make it to the playoffs, it will be their first postseason appearance since 2014-15.

#2 Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton combine for 57 points

Eric Bledsoe led both the teams in scoring with 33 points

The Bucks have an underrated guard in Eric Bledsoe and an underrated forward in Khris Middleton. Playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, these two do not get the kind of respect or attention they deserve and their contributions often go unnoticed.

Last night against the Nets, Eric Bledsoe, who recently signed a four-year, $70 million contract extension with the franchise, dropped 33 points on an impressive 12-for-17 shooting. He also nailed two clutch free-throws to give them a two-point lead towards the end of the game. However, the Nets went on a 7-0 run to keep their playoffs hopes alive.

Middleton, who was coming off a 22 points performance in the win against the Philadelphia 76ers, had yet another strong outing and finished with 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting. Howbeit, he struggled from the three-point line and went 2-for-7.

#1 Joe Harris' tie-breaking three-pointer before D'Angelo Russell's tough layup sealed the game

Joe Harris scored 14 points against the Bucks

The Nets were desperately looking for a win and even though the Bucks were without the 'Greek Freak', they put up a strong fight and took the game down to the wire.

In this back-and-forth affair, it was Joe Harris' three-pointer in the fourth quarter, with 1:24 remaining, that gave the Nets a 131-128 lead before D'Angelo Russell delivered the dagger with a tough layup to extend the Nets' lead to five points.

Harris had 14 points on a sub-par 5-for-16 shooting but was impressive from downtown going 3-for-6. D'Angelo Russell who is widely touted as the front runner for the Most Improved Player of the Year award poured in team-high 25 points on an efficient 10-for-15 shooting.

Russell is averaging career-high numbers across all the categories with 21.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game.