Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks (Game 1) Predictions, Point Spread, Picks

How to Watch Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks

Head-to-Head: Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks

ATL: Embrace the Grind

The Atlanta Hawks continue to embrace their underdog mentality and it has powered them to their success. Against the Bucks, they’ll have their toughest test yet.

For the Hawks, their success comes from Trae Young and their squad’s ability to find solutions when he’s been struggling.

Their team effort and depth is a real threat against the Bucks, so long as they remain unselfish.

Atlanta have their hands full coming up against the Milwaukee Bucks, but they are more capable than the media gives them credit for. Unselfish, hard-working, and relentless on defense, the Hawks’ effort can boost their lack of comparative talent.

Hawks Key Player: (G) Kevin Huerter

9 points in the first for Red Velvet. pic.twitter.com/NK3gmBwvAS

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 21, 2021

In Atlanta’s Game 7 victory over the Sixers, head coach Nate McMillan was encouraged to see Kevin Huerter step up his game as the Sixers focused on shutting down Trae Young.

Huerter was brilliant in his last match, taking over scoring duties for Trae Young and finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds, and three assists on 10 of 18 shooting from the field.

The Hawks guard’s willingness to hunt down preferential matchups on top of work for open opportunities was game-changing for Atlanta.

While he’ll face better perimeter defenders in Milwaukee, Huerter’s aggression is more than welcome.

MIL: Find Production From the Bench

The Milwaukee Bucks came out from their series against the Brooklyn Nets exhausted but successful. They relied on their stars heavily, but they’ll want more production from their bench as they face the Hawks in Game 1.

Pat Connaughton, Bryn Forbes, and Bobby Portis are relied upon the most for the Bucks coming off the bench. The trio averaged just 12.2 points per game through the second round but will need to up their production to support the Milwaukee stars.

Both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton averaged over 40 minutes per game in the last round. Head coach Mike Budenholzer will certainly look to his reserves to lessen the load on his All-Stars.

Bucks Key Player: (F) Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Greek Freak finished the series against the Nets with five consecutive games of 30+ points and 10+ rebounds.

The last player in the @NBA to have a 30/10 postseason streak of five games was @Shaq during the 2000 playoffs. pic.twitter.com/MNTFnV9eCy

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 22, 2021

The former two-time NBA Most Valuable Player is on a mission this summer as he’s led the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals once again. The Greek Freak has been able to will the Bucks to success in even the most unlikely scenarios.

Giannis was tremendous in his last series against the Brooklyn Nets. In Game 7 of the last round, he had 40 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists in 50 minutes of play.

Antetokounmpo is a difficult player to guard, as he operates from the perimeter but is near unmatched at the rim. If he can get his offense going early, the Bucks can put themselves in a great position after Game 1.