Bucks vs. Hawks Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Apr. 15, 2021

by Joe Williams
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Milwaukee Bucks (34-20) take on the Atlanta Hawks (30-25) at State Farm Arena on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET in a battle between division leaders. The game is televised on TNT.

The Bucks roughed up the Minnesota Timberwolves in an afternoon game Wednesday, so they'll be playing on a quick turnaround. They have won each of the past two on the road, averaging 127.0 PPG. Defensively they have allowed just 96.0 PPG in the win streak.

The Hawks have rattled off three straight wins and covers, including a 108-103 win over Toronto in Tampa on Tuesday.

Bucks vs. Hawks Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: State Farm Arena
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Date: Thursday, Apr. 15, 2021
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Bucks vs. Hawks

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Milwaukee -5.5
Money-Line: Bucks -250, Hawks +200
Total: 228.5

The Bucks are rather moderate favorites despite the fact the Hawks have rolled up seven wins with a 7-1 ATS mark across the past eight games. Milwaukee is favored by 5.5 points despite the fact they're just 2-3 SU/ATS across the past five outings.

The total is set at 228.5 for this battle of division winners. The Bucks have alternated OVER and UNDER results in each of the past five outings, and the OVER/UNDER is 5-5 across the past 10 outings. The UNDER is 4-2 across the previous six for the Hawks.

The Hawks return home off a pair of road wins as they battle the Bucks at State Farm Arena. (AP)

Bucks vs. Hawks Current Form-Last Game

The Bucks blasted the Timberwolves 130-105 as a 10-point favorite on Wednesday afternoon as the OVER cashed, and they are 2-0 SU/ATS after a three-game losing skid against the likes of Charlotte, Dallas and Golden State.

The Hawks shot down to Tampa and picked up a 108-103 win as a 1.5-point underdog against the Toronto Raptors as the UNDER connected. Atlanta has won and covered three in a row, averaging 111.0 PPG across the past three while allowing just 104.0 PPG.

Milwaukee has been struggling a little lately, but part of the reason is that they have been nomads. The Bucks have been home just once in the past nine outings, and they're still 5-4 SU/4-5 ATS during the span.

Atlanta is back home for the first time since April 9 when they coasted past the Chicago Bulls 120-108 as a 2.5-point favorite as the OVER connected. They're 3-1 SU/ATS in the past four at home while the OVER has hit in each of the past two at SFA.

Bucks vs. Hawks Head-to-Head

Jan. 24, 2021 - Bucks 129 vs. Hawks 115, Milwaukee -12, Over 225

The first time the Hawks faced the Bucks they were roughed up at FiServ Forum in Milwaukee on Jan. 24. The Bucks won and covered 129-115 as 12-point favorites as the OVER (225) connected.

Despite that cover, Milwaukee is just 5-11 ATS across the past 16 meetings, and the OVER has hit in five of the previous six battles in Atlanta.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 34-20 SU, 24-30 ATS, 32-21-1 OU
Road: 16-12 SU, 11-17 ATS, 15-12-1 OU

The Bucks have rolled up 119 or more points on offense in each of the past three outings. They pounded Minnesota 130-105 with six players going for 13 or more points. Khris Middleton led the way with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Brook Lopez was good for 18 points and eight rebounds while blocking two shots in the blowout and cover.

While Milwaukee covered on Wednesday, they're still just 4-10 ATS in the past 14 games on the road, while going 2-6 ATS in the past eight on the road against a team with a winning home mark. They're also 2-5 ATS in the past seven against teams with a winning overall record.

The Bucks have hit the OVER in 11 of the past 15 as a favorite, and they're 18-7-1 in the past 26 after a straight-up victory. However, the UNDER is 11-4 in the previous 15 games when playing in the second end of a back-to-back set.

Atlanta Hawks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 30-25 SU, 30-24-1 ATS, 27-28 OU
Home: 14-10 SU, 14-10 ATS, 11-13 OU

Atlanta has been on fire, winning each of the past three while covering those games, too. They are also on a 7-1 SU/ATS heater in the month of April. Their lone loss was a 131-113 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 7.

The Hawks are also 8-1 SU/ATS across the past nine home games dating back to mid-February while the UNDER is 5-1 in Atlanta's past six at State Farm Arena.

Atlanta is just 1-4 ATS in the past five against teams with a winning overall record, and they're just 1-5 ATS in the past six at home against teams with a winning road record.

As far as the totals are concerned, the OVER is 5-2 in Atlanta's past seven as an underdog, while going 23-7 in their past 30 as a home 'dog. The OVER is also 4-0 in Atlanta's past four at home against foes with a winning road mark.

Key Injuries

Milwaukee Bucks

SF Giannis Antetokounmpo: Knee- Questionable

Atlanta Hawks

PF John Collins: Ankle- Out
PG Kris Dunn: Ankle- Out
SF Danilo Gallinari: Knee- Questionable
PF De'Andre Hunter: Knee- Out
SF Cam Reddish: Achilles- Out
SG Tony Snell: Ankle- Out
PG Trae Young: Calf- Questionable