Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks Preview (10/29/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds
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For this matchup preview, I cover the Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks, two teams that have explosive scoring abilities and superstars! Check out the updated odds, projected starting lineups, my personal prediction for the game’s outcome, and related injury news below.
Atlanta Hawks Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds
The Atlanta Hawks are five-point road dogs against the Milwaukee Bucks. Atlanta will be missing sharpshooting two-guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, while Milwaukee still has yet to return Pat Connaughton or Khris Middleton to the floor.
Atlanta Hawks Vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction
It’s safe to say that the Atlanta Hawks’ competition thus far has not been difficult; they’ve faced the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, and Orlando Magic. What’s important is that Atlanta has managed to go 3-1, with its only loss coming against the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte was without LaMelo Ball but got great scoring output from Nick Richards, Kelly Oubre Jr, and Dennis Smith Jr, who are three players you wouldn’t expect to combine for 62 points.
Statistically, Atlanta is off to a bit of a rough start, though. It ranks 20th in offensive rating, 23rd in effective FG% (field goal percentage), and 27th in 3P% (three-point percentage), despite having plenty of elite shooters and scorers.
Trae Young, in particular, has started out this season struggling with efficiency, posting a 35/23/95 shooting split. Young’s done a good job of creating for his teammates but hasn’t found his groove yet on an individual level. Once he does, not only will his numbers improve, but so will his teammates. Momentum matters in this league, especially when it revolves around your best player.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee could not have dreamed of a better start to the 2022-23 regular season. The Bucks rank first in defensive rating by nearly four points, a ridiculous differential even though it is early in the season.
Interestingly enough, Milwaukee has been mediocre, at best, on the offensive end, but its defense is so good that it hasn’t mattered. Giannis and Jrue Holiday lead the charge on defense, and Antetokounmpo certainly looks the part of a DPOY winner so far.
Neither team will have a rest advantage as both will be on the second night of a back-to-back; however, Milwaukee will at least have both games at home. The Bucks have looked elite on the defensive end of the floor against some quality offensive teams. Atlanta has struggled offensively, and I don’t believe it will turn everything around on the road against what could be the best team in the NBA. I’ll stick with Milwaukee against the spread until it disappoints me.
Betting Trends
- Atlanta is 0-1 ATS on the road in 2022-23
- Milwaukee is 2-0 ATS at home in 2022-23
- Milwaukee is 3-3 against Atlanta in its past six matchups
Key Matchups
One of the key matchups in this game belongs to Trae Young and Jrue Holiday. Holiday has his work cut out for him with Trae Young, one of the best isolation and playmaking guards in the NBA. Still, Young has struggled to start out the season, so there’s no guarantee he has a big game. Take a look at further analysis of this matchup below!
Trae Young vs. Jrue Holiday
Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks had three matchups with the Milwaukee Bucks last season; Young and Jrue Holiday played in two of those. During those two games, Trae Young posted 42/10/8 and 27/11/3 lines against Jrue for an average of 34.5 points, 10.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds on just shy of 60% shooting from the field.
Needless to say, much like Kyrie, Ice Trae has had Holiday’s number recently. Even on the defensive end, Young was not exploited by Holiday, who shot less than 40% from the field and averaged merely 15 points. Young may have started this season with less-than-ideal shooting numbers, but I still give him the advantage in this matchup. Advantage: Young.
Atlanta Hawks Starting Lineup
PG: Trae Young
SG: Dejounte Murray
SF: De’Andre Hunter
PF: John Collins
C: Clint Capela
Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineups
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Jevon Carter
SF: Grayson Allen
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Key Injuries
Atlanta Hawks Injuries: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Out)
Milwaukee Bucks Injuries: Khris Middleton (Out), Pat Connaughton (Out), Joe Ingles (Out)
