ATLANTA @ MILWAUKEE (MIL -4.5, 228.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
HAWKS @ BUCKS 12/14/24
Following last season's disappointment in Sin City, the Milwaukee Bucks are once again heading to the NBA Cup semifinals. This time, they are bracing themselves to go up against Trae Young, and his team, the Atlanta Hawks.
During the Hawks' quarterfinal victory over the New York Knicks, Young's display when he mimed rolling a pair of dice at the Knicks' midcourt logo was a prediction of the Hawks' journey to Vegas. Such showmanship is characteristic of Young, something that has impressed and frustrated the Knicks over the years. The Bucks are no strangers to Young's flair in crucial games, but an unfortunate ankle injury slowed down Young during the Eastern Conference finals against the Bucks in 2021.
The 26-year-old Young now has his eyes set on the Bucks for his latest prime-time performance. However, he is adamant that he doesn't dwell on the past nor harbor any grudges. Instead, he's focusing on his new team and the present.
Young's impressive stats, including an average of 21 points and 12.2 assists per game, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with NBA greats like Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas. He's no one-man army though, with Jalen Johnson contributing significantly with 19.8 points and a team-high 10.1 rebounds per game.
Being one of the East’s best teams, the Hawks are on a hot streak, winning seven of their last eight games and clinching the No. 3 seed in NBA Cup knockout play.
On the flip side, the Milwaukee Bucks are the only semifinalists from the previous season in Las Vegas, and it was a brief appearance. Despite a 128-119 loss to the Pacers, they are hopeful that the previous year's experience will give them an edge.
Remembering the confusion from the last season, Bucks' star player, Damian Lillard, opined that their understanding of what winning the NBA Cup would involve has significantly improved. Although it's not the ultimate aim, Lillard expressed a desire to win the prize money and continue the team's forward momentum.
After a shaky start to the season, the Bucks are back on track, entering Tuesday's quarterfinal as the East's top seed in NBA Cup play, while also crossing the .500 mark for the season. Contributing to their success, Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the NBA scoring charts (32.7 points per game), Damian Lillard is also performing at an All-Star level. Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez are also averaging double figures, keeping the team's ambition alive.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
FREE PICK: UNDER 228.5
The most recent Hawks-Bucks game saw a total set at 236.5. That game finished with 223 points and went way Under. That recent game would still go Under tonight’s total as well. The game is on a neutral court, so neither team has much of an advantage. The game is also an elimination game, so possessions will come at a premium. We should see fewer possessions. The Under has cashed in 4 of the last 6 against a bottom 10 scoring team. Three of Milwaukee’s last four games have gone Under 228.5