There is a massive Game Three between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks tonight and our free NBA picks have the winner, just for you!
Can Milwaukee carry momentum from their big win on Friday into tonight or will the Hawks rally behind their fans? We have all of the answers for you below in our NBA picks!
Milwaukee Bucks @ Atlanta Hawks (Game 3) – 8:30pm EDT
While a 34 point win in the Conference Finals can be surprising, the fact that the Milwaukee Bucks came out and dominated Game Two in the way they did is really not that surprising. With the Atlanta Hawks winning Game One on their home floor, the Bucks had to respond and that is exactly what they did.
A 43-17 second quarter was the difference, allowing Milwaukee to open up a 32 point halftime lead and the game was over there. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 of his game high 25 points in the dominant first half, imposing himself on the poor Atlanta defense. What is even more impressive, is the blowout meant that the 2x MVP played just 29 minutes, meaning he will be ready and rested to go at it again tonight.
ARE YOU SERIOUS, GIANNIS?!? pic.twitter.com/xiUDgckSqC
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 26, 2021
Khris Middleton had just 15 points again, but shot much better from the field, 6-13 (46.2%), and got himself involved in the game in other ways, finishing with seven rebounds and a game high eight assists. His playmaking, combined with Jrue Holiday’s, meant that Milwaukee were always getting good looks, ensuring their offense was humming all night. Holiday had seven assists for the game but it was his shooting that was most impressive, going 9-14 (64.3%) for his 22 points.
The big positive for Milwaukee is that their threes were falling, making 15 for the game after making just eight in Game One. Seven different Milwaukee players made at least one, with Holiday and Brook Lopez making three each. Contrast that to Atlanta who went 9-36 (25%) from three, with Trae Young going just 1-8 by himself.
After a career high 48 points in Game One, Young managed just 15 points on Friday. That was a team high, with only one other starter, John Collins, scoring in double digits for the game. Collins was the only starter to shoot better than 50% from the field, with Clint Capela, who was coming off a double double in Game One, managing just two points on 1-5 shooting.
If Atlanta wants to take any positives out of the demoralising 91-125 loss, it was that Cam Reddish returned to the floor for the first time since mid-February. He finished with 11 points and even made a three, with every minute he plays more beneficial for him in the long run, and gives them another body to throw at Giannis as the series goes on.
Ready for the bounce back tomorrow. #BelieveAtlanta pic.twitter.com/IUbnQEhjEp
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 26, 2021
However, Milwaukee asserted themselves on Friday and it is hard to see how Atlanta can compete with that version of the Bucks. The Hawks should rally in front of their fans tonight for Game Three, but we don’t think it will be enough, with Milwaukee running over the top yet again.
NBA Pick – Milwaukee Bucks (-198)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
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