- What: NBA Cup Semifinal Game
- When: December 14, 2024
- Who: Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Time: 1:40 p.m. PST
- Where: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
The Milwaukee Bucks (13-11) will play the Atlanta Hawks (14-12) in the Eastern semifinals of the 2024 NBA Cup this Saturday.
In the quarterfinals, the Bucks secured a 114-109 victory over the Orlando Magic, while the Hawks achieved a 108-100 win against the New York Knicks on the road.
The victor of this matchup will advance to the NBA Cup championship game, where they will meet either the Houston Rockets or the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Atlanta Hawks
As the Atlanta Hawks gear up to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals, all eyes will be on Trae Young.
First, the Hawks have been playing seriously impressive team basketball lately. After a rocky start to the season, they’ve found their groove, going 10-5 in their last 15 games.
This resurgence has been fueled by a collective effort rather than relying solely on Young to carry the load.
In fact, during this stretch, the Hawks have shown a remarkable ability to share the ball, with Young averaging 12.2 assists per game, which is the highest in the league.
For a spot in the NBA Cup Final ????
???? @Bucks
⏰ 4:30 PM ET
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???? @929TheGame pic.twitter.com/53QvARdCwB— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 14, 2024
This indicates that he’s more focused on facilitating rather than scoring.
Moreover, the Hawks’ recent success has come from their improved defense and rebounding. They’ve climbed into the top 10 in defensive efficiency, which means they’re outscoring opponents and limiting their chances.
This shift in focus could lead to fewer opportunities for Young to rack up points, assists, and rebounds, especially against a Bucks team that has been solid defensively.
Additionally, the Hawks have a plethora of scoring options at their disposal. Players like De’Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson have stepped up significantly, taking some of the scoring burden off Young’s shoulders.
Hunter, in particular, has been on fire, averaging 22.4 points per game in December. This means that Young doesn’t have to force the issue, which could lead to a quieter night in terms of his stats.
Milwaukee Bucks
When you look at the matchup against the Bucks, it’s clear that they’re not going to make it easy for Young.
Milwaukee has a strong defensive unit, and with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the charge, they’ll be looking to stifle the Hawks’ offensive flow.
Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (probable, knee) is currently leading the NBA with an impressive 32.7 points per game.
He also ranks fifth in rebounds per game (11.4) and boasts a field-goal percentage of 61.2, showing his efficiency on the court.
Antetokounmpo has scored 30 or more points in his last four games, including a standout performance against the Magic where he tallied 37 points, along with seven rebounds and four blocks.
Giannis coaching up his guys ????
The @Bucks star showed his leadership skills in the team's Quarterfinals W!
At 4:30pm/et on TNT, he seeks to lead MIL to the #EmiratesNBACup Finals ???? pic.twitter.com/NIxpux8o1F
— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2024
Guard Damian Lillard is a versatile scorer known for his ability to engage his teammates. The eight-time All-Star ranks 10th in the league for both points per game (25.8) and assists (7.6).
He has also hit at least four 3-pointers in three of his last five games. In a recent matchup on December 6 against the Celtics, Lillard recorded 31 points, distributed four assists, and made four shots from beyond the arc.
The Bucks have been known to limit opposing stars, and with Young’s recent tendency to distribute the ball more, it’s likely he won’t be the one putting up big numbers.
Hawks-Bucks Best Bet
In terms of betting strategy, I’d take the Hawks and the 3.5 points at -105 odds at BetMGM.
They’ve shown they can compete with the best, and with the way they’re playing, they could very well pull off the upset against the Bucks.
A small sprinkle on the Hawks’ money line could also be worth considering, especially if you believe in their current momentum.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
