2021 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Series Odds and Picks

In a bit of a surprise, the Milwaukee Bucks are in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2019, upsetting the second-seeded Brooklyn Nets in seven games in the conference semifinals. They’ll face the very surprising Atlanta Hawks, who came into the playoffs as the fifth seed but proceeded to knock off the fourth-seeded New York Knicks and top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

This series will feature two of the top scorers in the postseason so far in Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Atlanta guard Trae Young. Antetokounmpo has averaged 28.8 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, while Young is putting up 29.1 points and 10.1 assists per contest.

Where to Bet on the NBA Finals

Both teams had to win on the road in a Game 7 to advance to this point. Milwaukee is undefeated at home this postseason, but the Hawks just knocked off the 76ers, who had the best home record during the regular season, by winning three games in Philadelphia.

The Hawks vs. Bucks game 1 is set for Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

Surprising Finalists

The Hawks are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2015, when they were swept by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was a veteran squad, while this year’s Hawks are young, with Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams the only players on the team over 30. Young is only 22 and in his first postseason, but you wouldn’t know it by the way he’s been playing.

Yet it was 22-year-old guard Kevin Huerter scoring 27 points in Sunday’s Game 7 win over the 76ers. Forward John Collins, who is 23, had a big game with 14 points and 16 rebounds, his fourth straight double-double in the series.

Atlanta can go big with its lineup featuring Collins, Gallinari and center Clint Capela, or small with both Young and Williams on the floor. The Hawks play very good defense, much like most teams under coach Nate McMillan do, allowing 105.0 points per game during the postseason.

NBA Finals Odds

Taking The Next Step?

Milwaukee has spent the last two seasons fighting to get the best record in the league during the regular season, only to disappoint with exits in the conference semifinals. This season, the Bucks were focused on being ready for the postseason and were able to power through, winning both of their series on the road.

Antetokounmpo has been great during the playoffs, but Khris Middleton has also stepped up with scoring and clutch shots down the stretch of games. Middleton is averaging 23.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in the postseason. Milwaukee is at its best when it doesn’t rely solely on these two, though, as guard Jrue Holiday and center Brook Lopez are also capable of having big scoring nights.

The Bucks also play suffocating defense, allowing just 102.3 points per game. Young will test them with his quickness and ability to shoot from nearly everywhere on the floor, though after facing Kevin Durant in the last series, Milwaukee is used to focusing on a star scorer.

The pressure is now on the Bucks and coach Mike Budenholzer to come through and make the next step to the NBA Finals. They’re the higher seed with the homecourt advantage and have been in this position before, only to come up short. A loss in this series could lead to some major changes for the franchise.

NBA Finals Picks

Hawks vs. Bucks Series Prediction

Milwaukee won the season series against Atlanta, 2-1, but Young played in only one of those contests. He had just 15 points on 3-of-17 shooting, including 0-of-3 from three-point range, and committed six turnovers in a Bucks win in Atlanta. He’ll definitely be better in this series, so it’s hard to put much stock in the regular-season meetings.

The Bucks showed a lot of fight in coming back from a 3-2 deficit against the Nets to pull out an overtime win on the road in Game 7. The Hawks did the same in rallying from 25 points down to win Game 5 on the road, then taking the series clincher in Philadelphia as well. Atlanta won’t be as successful on the road in this one, as the Bucks take that next step in a hard-fought series.

Series Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks In Six

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