The Milwaukee Bucks just need a win this Saturday to finally get rid of the Atlanta Hawks. Of course, that’s a whole lot easier said than done, as the Hawks can be pesky and hard to kill. So, what’s it going to be this Saturday? Check out our preview of this game below.
The Bucks proved that they are still a force to reckon with or without Giannis Antetokounmpo in their 123-112 home win over the Hawks in Game 5 to take a 3-1 series lead. Brook Lopez has had his best game of the playoffs, as he reached back to his Brooklyn Nets days and scored 33 points on 14/18 shooting from the field while also adding seven rebounds, two steals, and four blocks. Meanwhile, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday contributed 26 and 25 points, respectively. It remains uncertain whether Antetokounmpo would play in Game 6, but with Bobby Portis showing up and the trio of Lopez, Middleton, and Holiday having just played sweet music together, it seems that Milwaukee could afford to rest Giannis up for at least another contest and get him as healthy as possible for a potential Game 7 at home. Portis started for Giannis’ spot in Game 5 and delivered the goods with 22 points and three steals.
The Bucks are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games overall.
If only the Hawks had Trae Young then Game 5’s outcome could have been more favorable for them. But they have to deal with the cards they’ve been dealt, and hopefully, they can have Young active for Game 6. If not, expect the Hawks to start Lou Williams again. Williams scored 17 points and had five assists in 35 minutes of action in Game 5, while Bogdan Bogdanovic led Atlanta with 28 points on 10/22 shooting with seven 3-pointers on 16 attempts. It seems Bogdanovic is no longer being slowed down by a right knee problem that got him a probable tag ahead of the game, so expect him to carry most of the offensive load in Game 6 if Young continues to sit out. But Bogdanovic should also get help from Kevin Huerter, who only had eight points in Game 5, though he did have seven assists.
The Hawks are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games as a favorite.
