The Milwaukee Bucks travel to The Big Apple to face the Brooklyn Nets at Barclay's Center on Monday.

The Bucks (9-4) started off the season as a bit of a disappointment but winning seven of their last eight games is the team we expected to see. Much like most seasons, this club just dominates on both ends of the floor. That's evident by the fact that they rank second in offensive efficiency and seventh in defensive efficiency. It's scary that they've been doing this for years now but adding Jrue Holiday might have made them better on both ends of the floor. One thing that has developed this year is the game of Khris Middleton. He's always been an amazing player but averaging 21.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists show just how much he's improved. If he can play like that with Holiday providing his elite guard play, this is the team to beat in the east behind two-time MVP winner, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Nets (8-6) are probably the most fascinating team in the NBA and they certainly spiced things up this week. Adding any player to your team is a nice feeling but acquiring a guy like James Harden has the league on fire. We're talking about a guy who led the league with nearly 40 points per game last season and drops triple-doubles at ease. That's what he did in his Nets debut on Saturday, providing 32 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists and four steals. Many people were worried about how he would gel with Kevin Durant but KD tallying 42 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks of his own tells you everything you need to know. That doesn't even take into consideration Kyrie Irving and his 30 points per game but nobody has any clue when or if he will return.

These teams split their two-game season series last year, with the road team winning both outings. Prior to that, the Bucks won 14 of their previous 16 games over the Nets.