3 Bold Predictions for Bucks-Hawks Game 4
By Peter Dewey
If there’s one thing the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks have done in the Eastern Conference Finals, it’s keep fans on their toes.
After Atlanta shockingly upset the Bucks in Game 1, Milwaukee responded with a 34-point blowout in Game 2.
Then, to add some flavor to Game 3, Khris Middleton scored 20 points in the fourth quarter after having just 15 apiece in the first two games of the series to lead Milwaukee to a road win.
With Trae Young banged up, the Hawks will need to dig deep in Game 4 at home in order to avoid falling in a massive 3-1 series hole.
Young’s injury will allow for some players on the Hawks to step up, and the Bucks are looking to build on some solid games from unexpected sources (shoutout Bobby Portis) to get one step closer to the NBA Finals.
Here are my three bold player prop predictions for Tuesday night’s Game 4.
Bobby Portis Goes Over 12.5 Combined Points and Rebounds
I’m all in on the Portis train after he hit the over on this same prop that I picked in Game 3.
Portis has found his way back into the rotation against the Hawks and has been Milwaukee’s best bench player, averaging 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game this series.
WynnBET has the over on Portis’ points and rebounds projection of 12.5 at -116 odds with the under sitting at -112 odds.
I love the over on this prop with Portis coming off a 15-point game in Game 3, and if you’re feeling like he can keep up the scoring, WynnBET has Portis’ points prop set at 8.5 with the over (+104) as the underdog.
Portis has been hot, and if he can keep it up he should easily deliver on both of these props.
Jrue Holiday Goes Over 7.5 Assists
Trading for Holiday this past offseason has looked like a great move by Milwaukee, and the point guard has delivered with some big performances in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Holiday scored 33 points in Game 1, 22 points in Game 2 and then dropped 12 assists in Game 3 despite struggling from the field (2-for-11).
Holiday’s ability to make an impact on the game on both ends has been key for the Bucks, and he has an intriguing assists prop at 7.5 for Game 4.
WynnBET has the over on Holiday’s assist prop as the favorite (-150) to the under (+110), and the over is the way to go.
Holiday has totaled eight or more assists in five of his last seven games and one of the games he missed he finished with seven dimes in 32 minutes (his least amount of playing time in those seven games).
With Middleton heating up, it should allow Holiday more opportunities to create for him and Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 4.
Kevin Huerter Hits Over 2.5 3-Pointers
Somebody is going to have to step up for the Hawks with Young dealing with an injury, and Huerter has been up to the challenge all postseason.
The Hawks guard stepped in with multiple big games to close out the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round, and he has hit multiple 3-pointers in four of his last five games.
WynnBET has the over on Huerter’s 3-point prop at +130 odds, but after a three 3-ball performance in Game 3, I’d expect him to build on that in Game 4.
Huerter will likely have more opportunities to score with Young likely limited, and he’s been the Hawks' best option as a perimeter scorer since Bogdan Bogdanovic suffered a knee injury against the Sixers.
Bogi shot just 3-for-16 in Game 3, and Nate McMillan would be wise to find more opportunities for Huerter in Game 4 if the Hawks want to even the series.