Hawks vs. Bucks Odds, Predictions & Expert Insights for 12/2/23

Atlanta Hawks (9-9 SU, 5-13 ATS) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (13-6 SU, 7-12 ATS)

When: Saturday, December 2nd, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: Fiserv Forum, WI, Milwaukee

TV: BSW

Point Spread: Atl +6.5/Mil -6.5

Total: 251

Money Line: Atlanta Hawks +218/-270

Notable Injuries

Hawks

• Jalen Johnson (Out) Wrist
• Mouhamed Gueye (Out) Back
• Kobe Bufkin (Out) Thumb

Bucks

• Jae Crowder (Out) Groin
• Pat Connaughton (Out) Ankle
• Andre Jackson Jr. (Questionable) Back

Recent Form

Over the Hawks’ last five games, they are 3-2 and come in with an overall record of 9-9. The Hawks have a 6-4 record on the road this season, compared to their 3-5 record when playing at home.

The Bucks will face the Hawks, bringing in an overall record of 13-6 and a 2-1 record over their previous three games. So far, the Bucks have gone 11-6 when playing against Eastern Conference teams and 2-0 in non-conference contests.

The Historicals

In terms of betting, Atlanta has an ATS record of 3-2 in the previous 5 matchups vs Milwaukee. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +7 points per game in favor of the Hawks. In these contests, they averaged a combined 227 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Analysis

Atlanta finished with 137 points in their game against the Spurs. This total surpasses their season-average of 123.3 points per game. One area that the Hawks offense has been good this season is getting to the line. Currently, they are 4th in free-throw attempts per contest. Overall, they have a field goal percentage of 47%.

Coming into the game, the Hawks will be looking to improve their defense, as they are currently giving up 122.3 points per game (27th).

Opponents are hitting 58.4% of their two-point field goal attempts this season, and they’re also connecting on 37.2% of their three-point attempts.

Coming off their recent game, the Bucks offense tallied 113 points in a matchup against the Bulls. Their field goal percentage for the game was 44.9%, and they made 16 threes. The team’s top scorer is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who enters today’s matchup with an average of 29.8, while Damian Lillard also carries a PPG average of 25.5 into the game.

So far, the Bucks defense is giving up 117.9 points per contest, which has them sitting 23rd in the NBA. One thing to note is they have given up more points than their season average in two straight matchups.

The Bucks defense is coming off a game in which they held the Bulls’ offense to just 44.9% shooting. Overall, they gave up 120 points to Chicago.

Betting Trends

• Across their ten previous road games, Atlanta has an ATS mark of 4-6. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 6-4 while averaging 120 points per game.
• Across their last three home contests, Milwaukee has a 2-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 1-2, while averaging 120 points per game.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Hawks have a straight-up record of 4-6 and an ATS mark of 4-6.
• Through their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Bucks have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 2-3.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

The Bucks come into this one off a bad loss to the Bulls. In that game, the Bulls didn’t have Zach Lavine or DeMar DeRozan. Today, they will face the Hawks as 6.5 point favorites. Even though Atlanta has an even worse ATS record than Milwaukee, I expect this game to come down to the wire. My pick is the Hawks at +6.5.