Hawks vs. Bucks Game 2 Preview, Picks, & Prediction

by Sloan Piva (SloanPiva) Last Updated 2021-06-25 15:32:13

Hawks vs. Bucks Odds

The NBA Playoffs always supply us with a bevy of storylines. This year, the best storyline of the postseason (so far) has been the amazing young Atlanta Hawks, who seem dead-set on forging their way into the Finals as underdogs. They blazed past the Knicks in the opening round. They were the last men standing after going 12 rounds (aka seven games) with Philly in the semis. Now the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves on Trae Young and the Hawks’ hitlist. One win down, three to go.

Atlanta has now won the first game of every series it has played this postseason, all on the road since the Hawks entered the tournament as No. 5 seeds. They have been consistently counted out of each series by oddsmakers, only to defy the odds and silence their doubters. Yet, on Friday night, the Hawks are still getting 7.5 points on the spread in Milwaukee in Game 2.

Trae Young, Hawks Beating the Odds

Give Young space, and he’ll sink a trey in your face. Pressure him close, and he’ll storm past you toward the hoop with his blazing quickness, effortless handles, and smooth floater game. Double him, and he’ll find an open teammate on a back cut, or drive and kick, or throw the ball off the friggin’ backboard for a John Collins powerhouse dunk.

Young finished the Game 1 116-113 upset in Milwaukee with a playoff career-high 48 points (on 17-of-34 shooting) and 11 assists. That’s the most points by a player in his Conference Finals debut since the NBA expanded to conferences in 1970-71. The 22-year old scored or assisted on 72 of Atlanta’s 116 points.

Collins, who justifiably declared himself a freak athlete on Inside the NBA after the game, finished with 23 points (on 11-of-16 from the floor) with 15 rebounds. Fellow big man Clint Capela had an efficient 12 points (on 6-of-9) and an incredible 19 boards. The best rebounding team in the East, Milwaukee got outrebounded 51-45 by a bunch of kids with unwavering confidence and a whole lotta attitude.

Whatever cheat code McMillan unlocked, it’s sure as hell working for the ATL. Since the veteran coach got promoted to head coach in April, the Hawks are 13-2 in games decided by five points or less. They take over games with their aggressive pace, their high screen-and-rolls, their passing and play-making, and their dutiful pursuit of rebounds, loose balls, and 50/50s. Led by Young, they have an undeterred (and understandable) belief that they are never out of a game.

Will the Bucks Bounce Back in Game 2?

The Bucks, meanwhile, always seem to find a way to blow it. Despite owning a 105-98 lead with 4:15 left, Milwaukee allowed the Hawks to go on a 14-6 run to get right back in the game. The bleeding got even worse in the last minute. The Bucks had a one-point lead with 45 seconds left, but got outscored 6-2 in the final 40 seconds.

Is the moment too big for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton? These players are clearly two of the most dominant scorers in the game, and Giannis has MVPs and Defensive Player of the Year awards to go with the pair’s numerous All-Star and All-NBA selections. But they never seem to get over the hump in big playoff moments.

Middleton missed an open 15-footer one possession before Milwaukee relinquished the lead. Giannis could not stop Young’s penetration the next play, and although Young missed the free throw, nobody boxed Capela out and the huge center got the easy put-back.

If Brook Lopez was in the game late, maybe he gets that board. But the veteran center was such an offensive liability all game, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer had to remove him late. Side note: is it just me or does Budenholzer look like the playoffs age him in dog years!? That man looks as tired as I looked when my daughter was a newborn. Somebody get that man some melatonin, because Trae Young might be haunting this man’s soul.

Hawks vs. Bucks Game 2 Picks

Maybe Bud will find a way to contain the Hawks’ high screen-and-rolls in Game 2. Perhaps he can motivate his guys to be more aggressive, and not keep getting punked by the scrappy kids from the south side. I’m just not interested in betting against the strong little bull that is this Hawks team. They are playing like they know they can beat anyone, and I’m starting to believe them.

I might bet the Bucks’ moneyline if the odds go down a little bit. After all, Milwaukee is 31-11 straight up at home this season. But a -350 moneyline yields very little value, even with a solid team against the ropes at home. If it drops to between -290 and -300, I’d be more interested.

But for now, all I’m interested in is the Hawks +7.5 against the spread. As long as NBA oddsmakers give that many points to an underdog that keeps on delivering upsets, I’m heading to the sportsbook and betting that underdog. They’ll keep betting on themselves, too. And their legend—the sports storyline of the year—will only continue to grow.

• FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Bucks 117-111
• NBA GAME 2 PICK: Hawks +7.5

Image Credit: Imagn