Free NBA Pick: Bucks vs. Hawks NBA Odds
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2021 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Eastern Conference Finals
(3-2) Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks (2-3)
Date: Saturday, July 3rd
Time: 8:30 PM EST
Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
NBA Moneyline Odds: Bucks +130 | Hawks -140
NBA Betting Odds: Hawks -2.5
NBA Betting Total: O/U 216.5
The Eastern Conference Finals has experienced more plot shifts than a suspense movie and finally has reached the stage where a win by the Milwaukee Bucks over the Atlanta Hawks would stamp their ticket to the NBA Finals to face the Phoenix Suns.
Injuries have become a major talking point as both teams’ superstars missed Thursday’s match with Giannis Antetokounmpo suffering from a hyperextended knee and Trae Young dealing with a bone bruise to his foot.
Milwaukee Bucks
Run back through history and every championship team has common denominators. That list typically includes a superstar talent, top 10 defense, a clear identity, and excels under pressure.
Milwaukee can check most boxes with superstar Antetokounmpo and the top-ranked postseason defense but they are inconsistent and their identity is a bit of a question mark.
Are they the team who ranked fourth offensively (116.5) and from the perimeter (38.9) in the regular season? Or the postseason club that ranks 14th from the perimeter (30.6%) and 11th offensively despite facing the 22nd (Nets), 18th (Hawks), and 10th (Heat) ranked defenses of the regular season?
They’ve been wildly inconsistent in the conference finals vacillating between routs and matches where they lack energy, are unfocused, and fail to play up to their potential.
Antetokounmpo played the role of spectator Thursday, while Milwaukee played like the team most predicted would make this a quick series. Four Bucks collected 20 or more points in the victory.
Without Giannis, Brook Lopez spent more time in the paint delivering a postseason career-high of 33 points, Khris Middleton (26 points, 13 rebounds), and Jrue Holiday (25 points, 13 assists) each produced double-doubles, and Bobby Portis garnered his first postseason start chipping in 22 points.
The question is which team will show up Saturday — the club who lost by 22 points in Game 4 or the one who built a quick 20-point lead in Game 5?
Atlanta Hawks
While the Hawks have also been inconsistent the difference is Atlanta wasn’t expected to be in this position — they’ve already overachieved. Star Trae Young and most of the roster are participating in their first postseason.
Despite that lack of experience, Atlanta’s identity is clear – they are a gritty, deep squad that never stops fighting regardless of the score. Moreover, despite trailing in the series head coach Nate McMillan has masterfully outmaneuvered his counterpart Mike Budenholzer.
Although Trae Young missed his second consecutive game several Hawks fought to the end but simply couldn’t contain Brook Lopez or protect the paint where Milwaukee outscored them 66 to 36.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (28), John Collins (19), Danilo Gallinari (19), and Lou Williams (17) all scored in double-figures.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The’Bucks are 7-3 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The teams are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 3-7 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Prediction:
Antetokounmpo is listed as doubtful and while the Bucks would prefer to clinch tonight, they have the benefit of resting him because Game 7 (if necessary) is in Milwaukee. Conversely, if Young can deal with the pain he’ll likely play.
At the start of this series, I expected the Bucks to win in a gentleman’s sweep but don’t have a ton of faith in the Bucks delivering consecutive victories. We know the Hawks won’t give up but can Middleton and Holiday produced back to back strong efforts?
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Hawks ATS
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