The 2021 NBA Eastern Conference Finals continue with Game 2 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee this Friday night, so here’s the best Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks betting pick along with the latest team news, stats, and odds update.
The Hawks pulled off a huge upset last Wednesday, outlasting the Bucks as 8-point road underdogs in Game 1, 116-113. It was a proper nail-biter, as neither team had a double-digit lead, while the totals went just over the 226.0-point line.
The Bucks are clear 7.5-point home favorites for Game 2 on BetMGM Sportsbook. The Hawks are +285 moneyline dogs with a total of 226.0 points.
Trae Young went bonkers, Atlanta took the first blood
The Atlanta Hawks overcame a five-point halftime deficit in the opener, as Trae Young put on another tremendous performance in his first postseason appearance. Ice Trae dropped 48 points on the Bucks including some big buckets in the crunch time, finishing with 17-for-34 shooting from the field and 10-for-12 at the line.
The Hawks battled bravely and managed to escape with a win even though they had eight assists fewer (27-19) and five turnovers more than their rivals (13-8). Atlanta went just 8-for-32 from deep (25.0%), but the Hawks were efficient when it mattered the most.
Trae Young is averaging 30.5 points and 10.5 assists on the postseason, and he dished out 11 of the Hawks’ 19 assists in Game 1. Atlanta has some injury worries ahead of Friday’s clash, as Bogdan Bogdanovic is dealing with a sore knee, while Cam Reddish (Achilles) is not fully fit yet.
The Bucks blew a chance in Game 1, Giannis needs more from his teammates
The Milwaukee Bucks are making only 30.4% of their 3-pointers this postseason. Last Wednesday, they went 8-for-36 from beyond the arc (22.2%), while Khris Middleton missed all nine of his 3-point attempts.
Middleton finished with 15 points on a terrible 6-for-23 shooting from the field. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a big night, accounting for 34 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, while Jrue Holiday added 33 points and ten assists, but the rest of the pack just couldn’t get things going.
The Bucks scored 70 points in the paint in the opener and still suffered a loss. They desperately need more from Khris Middleton, who’s averaged 22.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a night through his previous 12 games. Middleton shot 41.4% from downtown this past regular season, but that dropped to 34.1% in the playoffs.
Trends:
Atlanta:
- 2-5 ATS in the last seven games as underdogs of seven or more points
Milwaukee:
- 4-2 ATS in the last six games against the Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Pick:
The Bucks should have learned the lesson, so I think they’ll play much better defense on Trae Young in this one. Milwaukee will certainly continue to exploit the Hawks’ defensive flaws after scoring 70 points in the paint last time out, but the Bucks will also need some triples to win this game.
I don’t feel comfortable with a 7.5-points spread, but I’m still backing the Bucks to win and, hopefully, cover a 5.5-point spread. Milwaukee has thrived under pressure so far these playoffs, so I’m expecting a bounce-back performance in Game 2 against the Hawks.
Pick: Take Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 at -150
Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Total:
Although Atlanta and Milwaukee combined for just 16 triples in the opener, the over hit mostly thanks to a dramatic finish and some free throws down the stretch. As well as the Bucks, the Hawks have struggled from deep so far, making just 33.9% of their 3-pointers this postseason, so I don’t expect to see a proper high-scoring affair Friday.
Therefore, I’m backing the under, looking for both teams to step up defensively. Also, the Hawks will try their best to slow down the Bucks who love to push the ball in transition. The under is 4-2 in the last six meetings between the Hawks and Bucks.
Pick: Go under 226.0 points at -110