The Milwaukee Bucks visit State Farm Arena to face the Atlanta Hawks in a nationally televised matchup on Wednesday. Milwaukee is 26-14 overall and 3-1 in the last four games. Atlanta is 19-21 overall with two wins in the last three games. Khris Middleton (knee) and Serge Ibaka (personal) are out for Milwaukee, while Trae Young (illness) and Clint Capela (calf) are out for Atlanta.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Milwaukee as a 4.5-point favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 228 in the latest Bucks vs. Hawks odds. Before you make any NBA predictions with the Hawks vs. Bucks match-up, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 43-19 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Bucks vs. Hawks and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Hawks vs. Bucks:
- Bucks vs. Hawks spread: Bucks -4.5
- Bucks vs. Hawks over/under: 228 points
- Bucks vs. Hawks money line: Bucks -195, Hawks +162
- MIL: The Bucks are 7-10-2 against the spread in road games
- ATL: The Hawks are 7-10-1 against the spread in home games
- Bucks vs. Hawks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Bucks can cover
The Bucks are led by an elite defense and arguably the best player in the NBA in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee ranks in the top three of the league in myriad defensive categories this season, including points allowed per possession, field goal percentage allowed, defensive rebound rate and free throw prevention. With Atlanta making fewer 3-pointers (10.3 per game) than any other NBA team, the Bucks can also afford to pack the paint in an effective manner.
On offense, Antetokounmpo leads the way with 31.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, and the Bucks are in the top 10 of the NBA in offensive rebound rate (30.4%) and second-chance points (15.2 per game). Atlanta is below-average in field goal percentage allowed (47.4%) and free throw prevention (24.5 attempts allowed per game) on defense this season.
Why the Hawks can cover
With Young out, Atlanta will be led by guard Dejounte Murray, who elevates his game without Young by his side. In the three contests Murray has played without Young, the former Spur has averaged 27.3 points and 9.0 assists. A former All-Defensive selection who led the league in steals last season, Murray is riding an eight-game streak with at least one swipe and is averaging 1.8 steals over this stretch.
As a team on defense, the Hawks should be able to create havoc in this matchup, ranking in the top 10 of the league with 15.2 takeaways per game and the Bucks landing at No. 25 in turnovers per game on offense. Atlanta is also in the top 10 of the league in 3-point accuracy allowed (34.5%) and blocked shots (5.1 per game).
How to make Hawks vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 231 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 70% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Hawks vs. Bucks? And which side of the spread hits in almost 70% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
