Milwaukee Bucks vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Predictions December 4th 2024

Milwaukee Bucks vs Atlanta Hawks December 4th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Milwaukee Bucks (-186) will host the Atlanta Hawks (+156) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Bucks are currently favored by 4.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 236.5.

Milwaukee (11-9) has won seven straight games and is currently fifth in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta (11-11) has won four straight and is sixth in the East.

Hawks vs. Bucks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks
• Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
• Date: Wednesday, December 4th
• Betting Odds MIL -4.5, ATL +156 | MIL -186 O/U 236.5

The Hawks Can Win If…

The Hawks moved to 11-11 on the season with a 124-112 win over the Pelicans on Monday. Atlanta, playing at home, covered the spread as -9.5 point favorites. The game’s total of 236 points went over the O/U line of 231.5.

A key 10-0 run early in the game helped the Hawks take control. They outscored the Pelicans in each of the last three quarters, including a 34-26 edge in the 3rd and a 32-27 advantage in the 4th.

De’Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 22 points in their win over the Pelicans, hitting 4 threes at a 57.1% rate. Despite shooting just 26.3% from beyond the arc as a team, the Hawks connected on 51% of their field goals overall.

Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels each added 19 points, with Johnson scoring 10 in the 4th quarter. Hunter also added 9 points in the final period.

The Hawks’ defense gave up 112 points to the Pelicans on Monday but still came away with the win. They allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter and 31 in the 2nd, but tightened up in the 3rd, giving up just 26 points, followed by 27 in the 4th. Overall, they held New Orleans to 44% shooting.

Atlanta limited the Pelicans from deep, allowing just 13 threes on 31% shooting. They also sent New Orleans to the line 17 times, where they hit 11 free throws. The Hawks finished with 12 steals and 4 blocks.

• Across their ten previous road games, Atlanta has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 5-5 while averaging 116 points per game.
• The last ten games that Atlanta was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 6-4 while going 5-5 straight up.
• Over their last five games, the Hawks have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Bucks Can Win If…

Milwaukee improved to 11-9 on the season with a 128-107 road win over the Pistons on Tuesday. The Bucks, who were favored by 3 points, covered the spread with a +21 point margin. The game’s total score of 235 points exceeded the over/under line of 221.5 by 13.5 points.

A key moment in the game was a 14-0 run by the Bucks, which turned a 64-55 deficit into a 69-64 lead. They took control by outscoring Detroit 42-28 in the 2nd quarter and entered the 4th quarter leading 110-88, allowing them to coast to victory despite being outscored 19-18 in the final period.

The Bucks shot 56.2% from the field and connected on 23 three-pointers at a 56.1% clip in their 128-107 win over the Pistons. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 28 points, 17 of which came in the 3rd quarter, while Damian Lillard added 27 points, hitting 5 threes.

Gary Trent Jr. contributed 16 points, and Taurean Prince and Bobby Portis each chipped in 14. Prince scored 8 of his points in the 2nd quarter, and Portis added 6 points in the 4th.

The Bucks gave up 31 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up defensively in the 4th, allowing just 19 points to help secure the win. Overall, they allowed 107 points on 46% shooting from the Pistons.

Milwaukee did well defending the three, giving up just 11 made threes on 33% shooting. They sent the Pistons to the line 22 times, where they made 16 free throws. The Bucks also recorded 10 steals and 6 blocks in the game.

• Across their last three home contests, Milwaukee has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 116 points per game.
• The Bucks have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 5-0 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.
• In their last five games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Hawks come in as the underdog at +4.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 236.5, and our model predicts the Hawks and Bucks to score a combined 262 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Daily NBA Picks & Predictions

Bucks and Hawks Ride Hot Streaks into Showdown After Slow Starts

The Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks are set to clash Wednesday night, both riding waves of success after shaky starts to their NBA seasons. The game at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum promises to showcase two teams that have found their stride, with star players and team depth playing pivotal roles.

Milwaukee Bucks: A Surging Force

The Bucks, led by the unstoppable Giannis Antetokounmpo and newly-acquired Damian Lillard, are in top form. After a rocky 2-8 start, Milwaukee has rebounded spectacularly, winning seven straight games and nine of their last ten.

Dominating the NBA Cup

On Tuesday, the Bucks secured a perfect 4-0 record in the NBA Cup group stage with a commanding 128-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons. This win guarantees their place in the tournament’s quarterfinals, where they will host the Orlando Magic next Tuesday.

Antetokounmpo was nearly flawless, scoring 28 points on 10-for-11 shooting, while adding eight assists and seven rebounds. Lillard contributed 27 points and five assists.

“We said from the start that we want to win this tournament,” said Bucks coach Doc Rivers. “We’re 4-0, but there’s still work to do.”

Key Performers

• Giannis Antetokounmpo: The league’s leading scorer, averaging 32.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
• Damian Lillard: Steady as ever with 7.6 assists per game, complementing his scoring prowess.
• Brook Lopez: A defensive anchor, averaging 2.4 blocks per game.

Injuries remain a concern for the Bucks, with Khris Middleton (ankle) yet to make his season debut and MarJon Beauchamp (hamstring) missing Tuesday’s game. Their statuses for Wednesday remain uncertain.

Atlanta Hawks: Balanced and Resilient

The Hawks have also turned their season around, climbing to a 9-9 record after a slow start. Atlanta’s recent four-game winning streak, capped by a 124-112 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, reflects their resilience and balanced team approach.

A Deep Roster

Against the Pelicans, De’Andre Hunter led the way with 22 points off the bench, but Atlanta’s collective effort stood out. All nine players who saw action scored at least eight points, and seven finished in double figures.

“We’ve been working on staying focused even when shots aren’t falling,” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “I feel we accomplished that tonight.”

Key Contributors

• Trae Young: Leading the league with 12.2 assists per game while averaging 20.9 points.
• Jalen Johnson: A rising star, averaging 20 points and a team-high 9.8 rebounds.
• Team Depth: Eight players average double digits in scoring, a testament to Atlanta’s balanced offense.

On the injury front, Young is probable for Wednesday despite right Achilles tendinitis, while Cody Zeller is out for personal reasons.

Historical Rivalry: A Close Contest

The Bucks and Hawks have a tightly contested all-time series, with Milwaukee holding a slim 119-117 advantage. In recent years, the rivalry has been evenly matched:

• 2022-23 Season: Bucks won 2 of 3 games.
• 2021-22 Season: Hawks won 2 of 3 games.

Wednesday’s matchup marks the first of four meetings this season, with subsequent games scheduled for February 7, March 4, and March 30.

What to Expect Wednesday Night

With both teams finding their rhythm, fans can anticipate an electrifying contest:

• The Bucks bring star power and dominance at both ends of the court.
• The Hawks counter with a well-rounded roster and collective scoring punch.

Key matchups include Antetokounmpo and Lillard versus Atlanta’s dynamic duo of Young and Johnson. Milwaukee’s depth and Atlanta’s bench contributions could also play pivotal roles.

Conclusion

As the Bucks and Hawks gear up for their midweek showdown, their recent hot streaks set the stage for a thrilling game. Milwaukee aims to extend its dominance behind Antetokounmpo’s MVP-caliber performances, while Atlanta’s balanced attack looks to disrupt their momentum.

Regardless of the outcome, both teams have demonstrated the resilience and adaptability needed to compete at the highest level, making them contenders not just in the NBA Cup but in the Eastern Conference playoff race.