Hawks vs. Bucks Player Props, Picks: Best Bets for Trae Young & John Collins (June 25)

by Matt Schmitto (schmitto) Last Updated 2021-06-25 18:47:27

• Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks tips off Friday night
• Also read Hawks vs. Bucks Game 2 Odds & Picks
• Here are my favorite player prop bets and picks for Friday, June 25

We went 1-1 on player props last night, but hopefully we can make some profit with these Hawks-Bucks matchups. NBA betting analyst Sloan Piva already previewed the spread for Game 2, so now I’ll be breaking down my favorite player prop picks.

Once again, I’ll use help from our friends at Scores And Odds. Their NBA props tool shows the best lines from across the online sports betting industry alongside their own player-specific projections. SAO Premium members get to use the tool for every player prop, for every sport, and every game.

Hawks vs. Bucks Player Props & Picks

Trae Young, Under 30.5 Points (-115) at BetMGM

After what Trae Young did in Game 1, you probably think I’m crazy for betting under in Game 2. Maybe I am. But the reality is that this prop line is likely inflated following one of the best performances in playoff history.

If you missed the game, let me catch you up to speed.

Young became the first player in NBA history to score 45 points and 10 assists in a conference finals game. Young put up 48 points while making 17 of his whopping 34 shot attempts. He was 4-of-13 from behind the arc and 10-for-12 on the free-throw line. Jeff Collins helped by scoring 23 points, but it was largely the Trae Young show as it has been most of these playoffs.

The 22-year-old seems to thrive in hostile environments. It started when Young fed off the rowdy New York Knicks crowd at Madison Square Garden. He followed up by leading the Hawks past the Sixers, again with gritty performances in enemy territory.

So why do I doubt Young Friday night, you ask?

Well, ‘doubt’ is a strong word. I still think Young will have a good game. If you’re a Hawks fans, won’t you be content with, say, a 28-point performance? I would.

In fact, Scores and Odds projections predict Young to score four points fewer than his current prop line at online sportsbooks. The point guard is projected for 26.5 points, while his player prop sits at 30.5 points across the industry. As scary as it may be to bet against Young in these playoffs, NBA prop bettors should take advantage of this opportunity and bet the under.

More Trae Young Props

Over 9.5 Assists – While I like taking the under on his points, I prefer the over when it comes to assists. The Bucks and Jrue Holiday will hone in on Young even more so tonight after he diced their defense to shreds. Young will likely see more assists opportunities as a result. Additionally, Young as passed for at least 10 assists in each of his last three games. In fact, since the start of the Sixers series, Young has had double-digit assists in 6-of-8 games. For what it’s worth, SAO projects Young for 10.73 assists against the Bucks in Game 2.

John Collins, Over 15.5 Points (-118) at FanDuel

With the Bucks defense focused on Young, someone from his supporting cast will need to step up. Last game, even while Young dropped 48 points, starting forward John Collins managed to score 23 of his own. Collins did this while shooting only 1-of-5 from three-point range and with trips to the the line. SAO projects Collins to score 17.36 points, nearly two points more than his prop at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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