Free NBA Pick: Hawks vs. Bucks NBA Odds
Looking for Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Hawks taking on the Bucks on Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021 at Fiserv Forum. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Hawks Bucks matchup.
2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Eastern Conference Finals
(0-0) Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks (0-0)
Date: Wednesday, June 23rd
Time: 8:30 PM EST
Venue: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
NBA Moneyline Odds: Hawks +260 | Bucks -290
NBA Betting Odds: Bucks -7
NBA Betting Total: 226.5
Wednesday, June 23rd the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks tip-off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Both teams were pushed to the brink needing to win Game 7 in order to reach this stage. Ask any championship team and a common refrain is that luck plays a role which both of these squads experienced.
Atlanta Hawks
.While the Hawks dealt with their own untimely injuries the slightly torn meniscus Joel Embiid suffered affected his overall ability particularly late in matches.
That and a bad case of lost confidence (Ben Simmons) equated to the 76ers having only four active offensive players whenever he was on the court.
Game 7, wasn’t a typical win for Atlanta whose leader Trae Young posted a double-double (21 points, 10 assists) but was horrific from the field shooting 5 of 23 (2 of 11 from deep).
Fortunately, others stepped up including youngsters Kevin Huerter (27 points, seven rebounds) and John Collins (14 points, 16 rebounds).
Another big effort was provided by Danilo Gallinari (17 points) who had a key steal late in the game essentially cementing the win. Clint Capela also chipped in 16 points.
Mike Budenholzer coached Atlanta for five seasons leaving at the end of 2017-18. Collins was a rookie and the only remaining Hawk from that team.
Milwaukee Bucks
It was widely assumed the Bucks and Nets semi-finals would go the distance but how the teams got to Game 7 wasn’t predictable. Injuries to James Harden and Kyrie Irving highlighted their vulnerability (depth).
Harden returned in Game 5 but wasn’t near 100 percent. And still, the Nets came one Kevin Durant toenail away from winning the series. Durant was spectacular playing all 48 minutes in Game 5, 40 in Game 6, and 53 in Game 7.
As for the Bucks, all five starters scored in double figures in Game 7, led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s double-double of 40 points and 13 rebounds.
The star had been penalized for taking over 10 seconds to shoot free throws and got a helping help from an unlikely source. He was 2 of 6 when the Barclays attendees increased their counting volume. From that point forward, Giannis shot 6 of 8 from the line.
Personally, I’m in the camp that believes confidence is key and the mental aspect is a real thing. With the fans counting it shifted his mindset and he just shot.
While Jrue Holiday (5 of 23 for 13 points) and Khris Middleton (9 of 26 for 23 points) struggled offensively they both hit pivotal baskets down the stretch and it was Holiday who defended KD on his final shot.
The basketball Gods shined on Brook Lopez (19 points) as he committed a brutal turnover with 8.2 left in regulation followed by Durant sending the match to overtime.
Lopez atoned for it with the play of the game… at 57 seconds, tied at 111 he blocked KD and grabbed the rebound which was followed by Middleton’s game-winning basket.
Betting Trends:
- The Bucks are 8-2 in their last 10 head to head meetings
- The teams are 5-5 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 5-5 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Prediction:
The concern as this series starts is the health of the Hawks starting backcourt. Bogdan Bogdanovic is clearly hampered by his sore knee while Young is dealing with that sore shoulder. If the latter thought Simmons and Thybulle were difficult defenders he’ll quickly learn that Jrue Holiday is a whole new problem.
The frontcourt matchups are intriguing. If the two bigs are matched Lopez will pull Capela away from the basket but if he’s on Giannis it could get ugly. Tucker will likely draw Collins but after Durant, that’ll seem like a holiday (and I love Collins).
Defensively, Milwaukee prioritizes blocking the paint over perimeter attention which they’ll have to tweak against the Hawks sharpshooters. As for Atlanta, this Bucks squad has more weapons than either the Knicks or 76ers. Moreover, Holiday, Antetokounmpo, and Tucker are arguably the toughest defenders Young and Collins have faced.
While the Hawks’ depth and no-quit attitude have been impressive I think this matchup will expose their weaknesses and doubt it goes past five games.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Hawks +7
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