Milwaukee Bucks @ Atlanta Hawks preview: predictions, injuries, betting

The Milwaukee Bucks are set to play the Atlanta Hawks for the second time in the last nine days, this time in Atlanta. The Bucks won the first matchup last Saturday in Milwaukee, part of a hot start to the season, 123-115 behind 34 points each from Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Hawks come in to this matchup 6-3 following an overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. The Milwaukee Bucks remain undefeated after wins in Minnesota against the Timberwolves and at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The key to the Bucks winning this game and remaining undefeated will be figuring out how to contain Trae Young, no easy task for anyone, especially the Bucks who it seems have to deal with a 30 plus point outing from him every time these teams matchup. What has helped the Bucks emerge victorious against the Hawks however is containing other role players and late game defense on the aforementioned Young.

In the first matchup Trae Young got off to a hot start and didn’t look back, he finished with 42 points, six rebounds and five assists. Brook Lopez did much of the lifting offensively in the first half of the first matchup between these two teams, with Giannis taking over the scoring responsibility in the second half.

Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks: Injury report

Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out the win against the Thunder on Saturday night with knee soreness, likely a result of the fact that that game was the second of a back-to-back, the only one the Bucks have in November. Giannis is listed as probable to play Monday night.

The Milwaukee Bucks will still be without Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton, though both are getting nearer to returning to the team, and Joe Ingles, who is eyeing a January return from his ACL injury.

Sandro Mamukelashvili may be available for the Bucks tonight, he has been in the concussion protocol and is listed as questionable, the Bucks other two-way player AJ Green has been out dealing with a nasal fracture and is out likely a couple weeks yet.

For the Atlanta Hawks they will be without Bogdan Bogdanovic as he recovers from a knee injury and Trae Young is listed as questionable with right shin soreness.

Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks: Betting

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Milwaukee Bucks head into Atlanta as 3.5 favorites over the Hawks with the over/under set at 227 points. The money-line for the Bucks sits at -154 and +130 for the Hawks.

Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks: How to watch, how to stream

This Monday night matchup will be on Bally Sports Wisconsin. If you’re looking to stream this game you can do so with NBA League Pass or Bally Sports plus, the Bally sports streaming service.

Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks: Predictions

The Milwaukee Bucks seem to have found their 3-point stroke over the last couple games, hitting 36.2 percent of their long range looks against Oklahoma City and 44.7 percent of 3-pointers on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The first time these two teams played the Bucks did make 38.9 percent of their 3-point tries, 14 in total. Brook Lopez was responsible for over a third of them with five 3-point makes.

The area the Milwaukee Bucks can control this game is rebounding, the Bucks are the best rebounding team in the NBA at a massive 60.3 rebounds per game. Atlanta is way down the list at 14th, 52.9 rebounds per game. The Bucks sit as the fourth best offensive rebounding team as well as emphasis has been placed on crashing the offensive glass this season, the Hawks are 18th in that category. If the Bucks can control the glass, like they did in the first meeting, as well as win the 3-point battle and mix in some offensive rebounds and second chance points, the Bucks should win this game whether Trae Young plays or not.

Bucks at Hawks score prediction: 118-114 Bucks win

Stay tuned tomorrow for takeaways from the Bucks 10th game of the season.