They’ve been here not too long ago. The Atlanta Hawks head to Game 4 looking to tie the series against the Milwaukee Bucks. They’ll be +235 online betting underdogs and are +800 to come back and win the series like they did against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Milwaukee got dominant performances from its stars and the Hawks’ leading man, Trae Young, hurt his ankle. Overlooking the Hawks now will be a mistake. But overcoming Young’s injury and a bigger Bucks team will be a tall task indeed.
Bucks: Get Inside and Dominate
It took an injury to Young for the Milwaukee Bucks to hit another gear and pull away in the fourth. But they’ll take it. Khris Middleton erupted and scored 20 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter, hitting eight of his 13 field goals.
Middleton needed to step up in a big way after averaging just 15 points in the previous two games. He also hit six three-pointers and pulled down 11 boards. It was a compelling performance from the Bucks’ second-best player and a positive sign if this indicates he’s turning a corner.
Giannis Antetokounmpo added 33 points and forward/center Bobby Portis chipped in 15 as the Bucks kept afloat until Middleton’s explosion. Still, Milwaukee was neck-and-neck with Atlanta, thanks to getting outshot from deep. But if Young continues to be hobbled, Milwaukee can continue to pound the undersized Hawks from the inside.
Hawks: Young and Restless
If the fourth quarter was a sign of things to come, then the Atlanta Hawks are in big trouble. That might be why the NBA betting lines have heavily shifted toward Milwaukee for the series.
Young was doing his thing against Milwaukee and had 32 points until he stepped on a referee’s foot and hurt his ankle. He only scored three in the final quarter as the Hawks fell apart and hit just seven of their 18 field goal attempts while having as many turnovers as assists.
The good news is that Young will still play on Tuesday. But the bad news is that he will be hampered and for a player that relies on his quickness and foot work to create, that is dire news indeed. With Young at less than 100 percent, Atlanta needs to find other ways to create. The likes of guard Kevin Huerter and forward John Collins need to step up.
Pick: Towering Over Opposition
The Atlanta Hawks got crushed in Game 2 and lost a tough one in Game 3 following Young’s injury. Just when they regained the momentum in the series, it got taken from them by a freak accident. But Atlanta isn’t one to dwell on misfortune.
The Hawks are tough and can fight back. But they’ll need to learn to do the scoring beyond Young. Atlanta scored just 17 points in the fourth with a hobbled Young. Jrue Holiday and the larger Bucks were able to control them.
But if Young can fight through the pain and create just enough for the Hawks, they will be lively underdogs. As phenomenal as Young and the Hawks have been, the Bucks are also experienced and gritty playoff veterans. They will take this opportunity to continue attacking and dominating Atlanta like they did in the fourth.
Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -275
Bonus Pick: Defending Home
Games at the State Farm Arena have been low-scoring. The Hawks have kept the totals under for 24 of their 42 home games this season and that includes three of their last four home games. Each team has also had the totals go under in seven of their last ten games.
With a hurt Young, Atlanta will focus its efforts on stopping the Bucks, who have also struggled to shoot the rock consistently.
