The Milwaukee Bucks have gained control of the series after a win in Game 3 on the road. Will the Atlanta Hawks respond right back and win Game 4 to tie the series all up again? Check out our preview of this game below.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the man in Milwaukee but in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, it’s the guy with the easier name to spell who came through the biggest for the Bucks. Khris Middleton went off for 38 points on 15/26 shooting from the field and 6/12 from behind the arc. Antetokounmpo still put up impressive numbers, though, going off for 33 points on 13/21 shooting. The Hawks have yet to find a true solution for Giannis and if Middleton continues to play the way he’s playing, this series could be a wrap sooner than later. The Bucks are not having any problem scoring against Atlanta’s defense. They are averaging 117 points on 49.7 percent shooting from the field, though they are making only 32.1 percent of their shots from deep. Milwaukee is also getting a nice bump from Bobby Portis, who’s putting up 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game in the series.
The Bucks are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous outing.
The biggest question right now for the Hawks is whether Trae Young will be healthy enough to play in Game 4. Young rolled his ankle in Game 3 and his availability on Tuesday is currently in jeopardy. But given Game 4’s importance, the Hawks could let Young play even if he’s not 100 percent healthy. If he gets ultimately ruled out, the onus would be on the likes of Lou Williams and Danilo Gallinari to step up as the team’s veterans. Bogdan Bogdanovic will also have to turn in a much, much better performance after going just 3/16 from the field for eight points in 35 minutes in Game 3. Perhaps, the Hawks should give John Collins more touches, as he seems to have the capability to take over his man at the post just as what Reggie Miller kept on stressing during Game 3’s broadcast. Collins is scoring 15.7 points on 66.7 percent shooting from the field against the Bucks in the playoffs.
The Hawks are 20-7 against the spread in their last 27 home games.
