The Atlanta Hawks (14-12) and Milwaukee Bucks (13-11) will meet in the NBA Cup semifinals this afternoon. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The game will broadcast live on TNT.
The Bucks are 4-point favorites over the Hawks on the spread (Bucks -4), with the over/under set at 229 total points. Milwaukee is a -185 favorite to win outright, while Atlanta is +154 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hawks vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, December 14.
Hawks vs. Bucks Picks, Prediction
Spread
It's an NBA Cup semifinal matchup. Does it rise to a playoff game? Maybe? Would I bet on it that way? Maybe? But maybe more like a Play-In than a Game 7 given that, while this is single-elimination, it's December.
But anyway, questioning if these teams "care" is stupid — nobody wants to lose now. And in this scenario, I don't want to bet the spread, because this can go legitimately either way for me.
Moneyline
However, the moneyline is interesting. I'm not betting it as of this writing, which is Friday night, but it's Hawks or nothing for me.
I'm seeing Milwaukee tilting toward being -4.5-point favorites, and I'm really on the verge of concerning that the Hawks may be good. That the Hawks are for real — not contenders necessarily, but a playoff team.
The Hawks are super live as underdogs here, and if I do play them in the Action App, it would be closer to tip-off, but it would be the moneyline before the spread.
Over/Under
My Bucks vs. Hawks best bet is on the over, which I played at over 228 at FanDuel. But as always, be sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
To me, both teams have so many solutions to combat the other teams defense, and while these defenses aren't awful, they're just middle of the road in the NBA — the Hawks a bit closer to the bottom-10.
On offense, Atlanta's looked more fluid in spurts as of late, and while they're still 18th in totality, they should perform better in a favorable matchup in Milwaukee, who has trouble stopping the point of attack and big wings — the Hawks have both.
My Pick: Over 228 (-120)
Hawks vs. Bucks Odds
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 229 -110o / -110u | +154 |
| Bucks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 229 -110o / -110u | -185 |
- Hawks vs. Bucks spread: Bucks -4
- Hawks vs. Bucks over/under: 229 total points
- Hawks vs. Bucks moneyline: Hawks +154, Bucks -185
- Hawks vs. Bucks best bet:Over 228.5
Hawks vs. Bucks Preview
Along with the over, I like Jalen Johnson to record a double-double, which is priced at -105 on FanDuel.
Johnson had 23 points and 13 rebounds in Milwaukee on December 4, and has recorded double doubles in 13 of 26 games so far this season, including three straight entering today's contest.
Hawks vs. Bucks Prediction
Parlaying Johnson's double-double with over 228 is +273 on FanDuel. I don't mind a little sprinkle on that at all. Emphasis on little sprinkle though, it's a parlay, after all.
Best Bet: Jalen Johnson Double-Double (-105)
Same Game Parlay Pick
- Jalen Johnson Double-Double (-105)
- Over 228 (-120)
Parlay Payout: +273
Bucks vs. Hawks Betting Trends
