Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Game 1 Preview

The Eastern Conference finals kick off on Wednesday with Game 1 between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks will host this one at Fiserv Forum, with tipoff scheduled for 8:30 pm ET.

The Hawks made it to this point by taking down the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, four games to three. In the clincher, on Sunday, the Hawks won 103-96. In the win, Kevin Huerter had 27 while Trae Young added 21 points and 10 assists.

The Milwaukee Bucks also went seven games in their last series against the Brooklyn Nets. They were able to secure the series win on Saturday with a 115-111 overtime victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 40 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bucks are the favorites in Wednesday’s contest playing at home. They are -360 to win while the Hawks’ moneyline sits at +290. The spread features Atlanta +8 (-114) while the over/under for total points is 225.5.

By The Numbers

Offensively, Milwaukee has been the best team in the NBA this season. They rank atop the scoring list averaging 118.5 points per game. The Hawks rank 16th averaging 112.6 points.

In terms of scoring defense, it is the Hawks with the edge. They rank ninth, allowing opponents just 110.5 points per game. The Bucks rank 19th, allowing 112.7 points per game.

Hawks Hope To Continue To Play Spoiler

After upsetting the No. 4 New York Knicks and No. 1 Philadelphia 76ers, the Atlanta Hawks have become accustomed to playing spoiler. Starting Wednesday, they hope to continue that trend as they take on the No. 3 Bucks.

Trae Young has been absolutely sensational this postseason. In 12 games, he is averaging 29.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. Young has proven that if he is hot, the Hawks are never out of it.

Another trait that helps the Hawks, though, is their depth. Aside from Young, John Collins (13.9 points, 8.3 rebounds), Bogdan Bogdanovic (13.8 points, 5 rebounds), Danilo Gallinari (12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds), Kevin Huerter (11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds), and Clint Capela (10.3 points, 11.6 rebounds) have all made significant contributions.

Bucks Can Play Loose After Weight Taken Off Their Shoulders

After making it past the Eastern Conference semifinals, something they couldn’t do last year, the Milwaukee Bucks had a big weight lifted off their shoulders. While there is work still to be done, expect the Bucks to come in loose for Game 1 at home, something that could be troublesome for Atlanta.

Leading the way for the Bucks is forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak” is averaging 28.8 points on 53.3% shooting this postseason. He is also averaging 13.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

The other two main contributors for the Bucks are forward Khris Middleton and guard Jrue Holiday. In 11 games this postseason, Middleton is averaging 23.3 points, 8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

For Holiday, he is averaging 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

Taking Bucks To Win, but Hawks To Cover

This should be a fantastic series. You have two teams that both just finished a grueling, seven-game series. They both also have superstar talent with solid depth.

Game 1 might be a bit of a feeling-out process between the two. Expect the game to stay relatively close throughout.

While the Bucks are the better bet to take Game 1 at home, where they were 26-10 during the regular season, the eight-point spread seems a bit much for an Atlanta team that has been surprising people all postseason.

Take the Hawks +8 (-114).