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The Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks will play in an Eastern Conference matchup on Sunday evening. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Bucks-Hawks prediction and pick.
The Bucks and Hawks will meet in their first matchup since the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday. Milwaukee won that battle in 6 games in route to winning the NBA Championship last season. The Bucks and Hawks have both struggled a bit out of the gate in the 2021-22 season, as each team sits under. 500 coming into play. Atlanta has lost six consecutive games after a 4-3 start to the season, while the Bucks are 6-7 through their first 13 games. The Hawks are slim favorites on Sunday despite their losing streak. Milwaukee will look to get back to .500 after losing to the Boston Celtics in overtime on Friday night.
Here's are the Bucks-Hawks odds for this Sunday NBA matchup, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Bucks-Hawks Odds
Milwaukee Bucks +1.5 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks -1.5 (-11o)
Over 220 points (-110)
Under 220 points (-110)
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Why The Bucks Can Cover The Spread
The Bucks have lost three of their last five games, and likely won't look like themselves until they get Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez back into the swing of things. Milwaukee has been an average team so far this season, ranking near the middle of the pack in net rating. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been at or near his usual MVP form, averaging 26.6 points, 11.8 rebounds and 6 assists per game on 49.6% shooting from the floor. However, without Middleton and Lopez, it has been tough for the Bucks to generate consistent success as they are not the deepest team. The Bucks should have a good chance to cover and win on Sunday provided that Antetokounmpo, who is probable, suits up and plays. It should be noted that Antetokounmpo was also probable for Friday's game vs. Boston, but ultimately did not play.
Why The Hawks Can Cover The Spread
It is difficult to envision the Hawks as favorites over the defending NBA Champion right now, but here we are. The Hawks are slight favorites over the Bucks on Sunday despite having lost their last six games. Atlanta just went winless on a four-game, west coast road trip that featured games vs. the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets. The Hawks are able to stay close in the majority of those games, only to be outplayed down the stretch. The Hawks have struggled to get consistent play out of everyone on their team besides Trae Young and John Collins this season, and they will be without starting small forward De'Andre Hunter on Sunday. Starting shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is also questionable. The Hawks might still be a little bit healthier than the Bucks even without their starting wings, but they're still a risky play on Sunday. Maybe Sunday is the day they snap their losing streak, but it seems safer for that not to be the play.
Final Bucks-Hawks Prediction & Pick
The Hawks rank 28th in the NBA in defensive efficiency, while the Bucks rank 20th. Take the over in this contest, as it's a toss up in terms of who is going to come out on top.
FINAL BUCKS-HAWKS PREDICTION & PICK: Over 220 points (-110)
