Hawks vs. Bucks Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

June 25, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Eastern Conference Finals will resume on TNT this Friday night with the Hawks and Bucks set to square off for Game 2 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at 8:30 Eastern time.

Hawks vs. Bucks Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern Conference Playoffs
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Fiserv Forum
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Date: Friday, June 25, 2021
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Hawks vs. Bucks

Subject to Change

Spread: Bucks -7.5
Money-Line: Milwaukee -350, Atlanta +290
Total: 226

After a heartbreaking loss in the series opener this past Wednesday, Milwaukee heads into Game 2 at Fiserv Forum as a 7.5-point favorite over the visiting Hawks – which is roughly the same as Game 1 (ATL +8).

The total for Friday’s event is still stationed at OU 226 – which also sits in the same ballpark as the number set for Atlanta’s high-scoring victory in Game 1 (O 225.5).

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks look to rebound from a Game 1 loss to the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals. (AP)

Hawks vs. Bucks Current Form

After a pair of grueling seven-game victories over heavily favored opponents in the previous round, Milwaukee and Atlanta surprisingly emerged from their respective Game 7’s as the final teams standing in the Eastern playoff bracket – setting the stage for a somewhat unforeseen conference finals matchup.

All that said, the oddsmakers still went all-in on Milwaukee from the jump in this year’s ECF matchup – tagging the Bucks as eight-point favorites in Game 1 while listing them as a -500 favorite to win the series.

Milwaukee’s balloon of confidence was quickly popped at home in Game 1 though, as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday combined for 67 points on 56% shooting across Wednesday’s series opener – but it wasn’t quite enough to fend off the Hawks’ late-game scoring invasion propelled by Trae Young (48 points).

Hawks vs Bucks Head-to-Head

Apr. 25, 2021 - Hawks 116 at Bucks 113, Atlanta +8, Over 225
Apr. 25, 2021 - Hawks 111 vs. Bucks 104, Atlanta +5.5, Under 229
Apr. 15, 2021 - Bucks 120 at Hawks 109, Milwaukee -4, Under 236
Jan. 24, 2021 - Bucks 129 vs. Hawks 115, Milwaukee -12, Over 225

The Bucks won two of three matchups against the Hawks during the regular season – with Milwaukee’s pair of victories easily cruising over the number set for Wednesday’s opener (236.5 PPG), and Atlanta’s lone victory staying under that mark (215 points).

Make note though, Young was sidelined for two of those affairs.

The matchup Trae participated in resulted still resulted in a double-digit victory for the Bucks though, as Atlanta’s primary scoring threat posted dismal numbers from the field in his previous lone outing against Milwaukee – tallying just 15 points on 3-of-17 from the field in the loss.

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

Atlanta Hawks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 50-35 SU, 48-36-1 ATS, 39-46 OU
Road: 22-22 SU, 22-21-1 ATS, 21-23-1 OU

After finishing up the regular season tied with New York in the standings at 41-31, the Hawks stumbled out of the gate in The Big Apple to start their first-round series – as Atlanta narrowly toppled the Knicks in Game 1 at MSG behind Young’s game-winning floater, which was followed by a disappointing nine-point loss in Game 2.

Atlanta has played the rest of this postseason with a chip on its shoulder though – stomping New York by an average of 14 points in three straight victories to close out the first round, which was followed by a gutsy seven-game series win over the top-seeded Sixers in the second.

That being said, Atlanta (+350) still went into Game 1 of this series as a heavy underdog against Milwaukee (-500).

After stealing a crucial road win in Game 1 though, the Hawks’ series-line got beefed all the way up to +170 at most shops – which is a notably steeper price tag than Atlanta’s money line for Game 2 (+285).

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 54-30 SU, 38-46 ATS, 45-37-2 OU
Home: 31-11 SU, 21-21 ATS, 24-18 OU

After upsetting Brooklyn in the previous round as hefty underdogs, the tables have been turned on Milwaukee in its current matchup – as the Bucks (-500) entered Game 1 of this series generously favored to advance past Atlanta (+375).

Following the Hawks’ upset victory in Wednesday’s opener though, both of those prices were quickly chopped in half – yet still awarding a moderate edge to Milwaukee (-200), with Atlanta (+170) trailing not too far behind.

Key Injuries

Atlanta Hawks

SF Cameron Reddish: Achilles - Probable
SG Bogdan Bogdanovic: Knee - Questionable
PF De'Andre Hunter: Knee - Out
PG Brandon Goodwin: Illness - Out

Milwaukee Bucks

SG Donte DiVincenzo: Foot - Out

Hawks vs. Bucks Player Prop Best Bet

Trae Young – To Score 35+ Points (+200)

After scoring just 21 points on 22% shooting in Game 7 against Philadelphia, Young emphatically bounced back during Atlanta’s first outing of the Eastern Conference Finals – racking up 48 points on 50% shooting in the Hawks’ Game 1 win over Milwaukee.

I’ll back Trae to have another big night here, as Atlanta’s superstar attempted a breathtaking 34 field goals in Game 1 of this series – and while I doubt that he can effectively deal the same amount of damage again in Game 2, there’s still a good chance he posts a similarly impressive effort in that department.