Bucks vs. Hawks Preview: Odds, Predictions, and Stats for February Showdown

Bucks vs. Hawks Matchup

We have an exciting Eastern Conference game on Friday’s NBA lineup as the Atlanta Hawks host the Milwaukee Bucks. The Hawks currently stand at 23-28 over the season and hold an 11-12 record at home, while the Bucks are 27-22 overall and 10-14 on the road. The two teams have shared the outcomes of their first two meetings this season, both of which occurred in Milwaukee. Historically, the Bucks have triumphed in three of their last five matchups spanning the last two seasons.

Player Status:

Damian Lillard (groin) is probable.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is questionable.
Trae Young (Achilles) is probable.

Game Preview

Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena, Atlanta.
Betting Odds: The Bucks are favorites by 5.5 points with an over/under of 242.5 points.

Why the Bucks can cover

The Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 112-102 victory against the Hornets on Wednesday, wherein Damian Lillard stood out with 29 points and 12 assists despite Antetokounmpo missing his second consecutive game. Bobby Portis also made significant contributions with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and five assists as Milwaukee adjusted post the trade of Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma.

This new roster could reinvigorate the Bucks’ offense, which currently ranks 12th in the league for scoring at 113.9 PPG, a striking decline from their third place last season at 118.4 PPG. Antetokounmpo is second in league scoring at 31.8 PPG, and the presence of him, Lillard, and Kuzma could be overwhelming for the Hawks’ defense, which is allowing 119.2 PPG.

Why the Hawks can cover

Though the Hawks have faced recent struggles, including losses by narrow margins, they showcased resilience with a key win over the Pistons. Trae Young scored 34 points and provided nine assists in that game, illustrating his pivotal role moving forward, especially post the trade of De’Andre Hunter.

Conclusion

The SportsLine projection model simulates each NBA game 10,000 times, producing a recommended betting line that hits better than 50% of the time. Interested parties are encouraged to analyze the available data before making their picks.