Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Giannis Antetokounmpo
NBA Odds: Hawks vs. Bucks
| Hawks Odds | +8 |
| Buck Odds | -8 |
| Over/Under | 226 |
| Time | Channel | 8:30 p.m. ET | TNT |
The Milwaukee Bucks take on the Atlanta Hawks in perhaps the least predicted Eastern Conference finals matchup of all time. Trae Young, who was already seen as a young star in this league, has easily solidified himself as one of the top players in the NBA with his 2021 postseason performance.
Trae Young with the floater 👀
The Hawks are -130 on the live ML pic.twitter.com/TMtpzAUUAd
— NBABet (@nbabet) June 21, 2021
Young gutted out a 21-point, 10-assist double-double despite Philadelphia’s defense being extremely physical with him. Young’s excellent in the midrange area, specifically from floater range, has propelled the Hawks to great heights.
A traditional “drop defense” is tough to play against Young these days, but to say Mike Budenholzer and the Bucks aren’t known for adjustments would be the understatement of the year.
But whether or not the Bucks adjust their strategy, it is clear that Milwaukee has the defensive personnel to frustrate Young, Kevin Huerter, and the rest of Atlanta’s great perimeter players.
Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and most of Milwaukee’s role players range from above average-to-elite on defense, leaving little to no openings for Atlanta to exploit.
With Milwaukee being arguably the best team left, it is obvious that the Hawks will have an uphill battle.
Updated odds to win NBA Finals 🏀
+110: Bucks
+125: Suns
+1200: Hawks
+1400: Clippers pic.twitter.com/tSxpqGZLZ5
— NBABet (@nbabet) June 23, 2021
Slowing down two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the No. 1 priority for Atlanta, and unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be a solid solution.
All other issues for the Hawks would stem from that singular issue. With all of this in mind, it is a bit easier to see why sharp bettors are trusting the Bucks on Wednesday night.
Let’s take a look in our latest PRO Report.
NBA Picks: Hawks vs. Bucks
Sharp Action
The line for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals opened up at Bucks -7.5 before it was pushed up to -8 ahead of Wednesday’s action.
Since Monday, there have been six Action Labs Bet Signals triggered on Milwaukee. This is a sign of wise guys heavily backing the favorite, a solid strategy this postseason.
Big Money
At the time of this writing, the 38% of bettors backing the Bucks have generated 68% of the money wagered on Wednesday’s game.
PRO Systems
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Hawks and Bucks fits neatly into our “NBA Playoffs: More Money on Favorites PRO System,” which has a 61% win rate and a 19% Return On Investment (ROI) since 2015.
PRO Report Pick: Bucks -8 (-110 at PointsBet)