The Milwaukee Bucks got upset in Game 1 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals by the Atlanta Hawks. Can the Hawks keep it going and go up 2-0 before flying back to the “A?” Or will the Bucks even it all up? Check out our preview of Game 2 below.
All you really need to know about Game 1 of this series is that Trae Young was a live grenade that the Bucks lied on their belly on. Young exploded for 48 points, going 17 of 34 from the field and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line while also dishing out 11 assists. It can’t be just Young carrying the Hawks against a still super-talented Bucks squad. Game 2 will see which among the other Hawks gunners will step up to help out their diminutive leader, who’s just been sensational in the playoffs. Bogdan Bogdanovic only had four points in 27 minutes in the series opener, while Atlanta’s bench chipped in just 16 total points. It’s got to be better than that going forward for the Hawks also nevertheless did a great job on the glass. Atlanta outrebounded the Bucks in Game 1, 51-45, with John Collins and Clint Capela making their presence felt.
The Hawks are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games as a road underdog.
The Bucks found out the hard way what the fuss was all about Trae Young. After getting wrecked by the Hawks in Game 1, Milwaukee gets more pressure to win Game 2, as it would put them in a very tight spot if they would go to Atlanta for Game 3 down 0-2. Khris Middleton has to wake up — again. He was playing well towards the end of the second round against the Brooklyn Nets but started absolutely flat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, scoring just 15 points on a horrible 15-of-23 shooting from the field. He was also 0 of 9 from downtown. If there’s a good sign for the Bucks, though, it seems like Jrue Holiday is going to eat a lot in this matchup against the Hawks after scoring 33 points on 14-of-25 shooting in Game 1. However, he needs to tighten it up defensively, as he just can’t allow Trae Young to get whatever he wants.
The Bucks are 1-4 ATS in their last five games after a loss.
