The Atlanta Hawks (4-1) visit Fiserv Forum to take on the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks (4-0) Saturday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET.
The Bucks are coming into this battle as the league’s only undefeated team, and what makes it more impressive is that they’ve done it without All-Star G Khris Middleton.
Milwaukee has beaten Houston, Philadelphia, New York and Brooklyn. F Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the team, averaging 34.5 points, 13.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
As for the Hawks, they are tied with the Cavaliers for the 2nd-best record in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta’s lone loss has come against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hawks are led by G Trae Young, who is averaging 29.4 points per game yet is shooting just 39.3% from the field and 29.3% from deep. Offseason acquisition G Dejounte Murray is averaging 19.8 points per game.
Hawks at Bucks odds
- Moneyline (ML): Hawks +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Bucks -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hawks +5.5 (-117) | Bucks -5.5 (-103)
- Over/Under (O/U): 229.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Hawks at Bucks key injuries
Hawks
- Not yet submitted
Bucks
- Not yet submitted
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Hawks at Bucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 120, Hawks 112
Moneyline
PASS.
I’m backing Milwaukee here, but the -210 isn’t quite good enough to consider them to just straight-up win.
Against the spread
BET BUCKS -5.5 (-103).
The Hawks are 4-1, but look at who they have beaten. Detroit twice, Houston and Orlando — those teams are a combined 3-14.
Young is scoring at a career-high pace, but those numbers are clouded by awful shooting splits as he is shooting under 40% from the field and under 30% from deep.
With an All-Defensive G Jrue Holiday on the other side Saturday, those inefficiencies may be exasperated. Given Antetokounmpo looks unstoppable and the Bucks have the best defensive rating in the NBA, I would back them to cover here.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 229.5 (-108).
Neither team sits in the top 10 in offensive rebounding or effective field goal rate. Neither pushes the pace either, and the Hawks have the 2nd-best turnover rate in the NBA.
While Holiday is a stud defensively, Murray is as well, and the defensive-minded guards should be the stars of the night Saturday. Atlanta was 10-17 O/U as a road underdog last season.