Hawks Predicted to Struggle on Offense With Trae Young Injured
By Peter Dewey
The supporting cast for the Atlanta Hawks proved it can win without Trae Young in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
And while I think that the Hawks may be more equipped to win without their best player, WynnBET is not as confident in the Hawks’ offense heading into Game 5 in Milwaukee.
WynnBET has released player props for tonight’s game, and only one Hawks player is favored to score over 15 points in the contest. That player is Bogdan Bogdanovic, who had 20 points in Game 4, and his prop is almost a pick’em, as the over (-112) is a slight favorite to the under (-108).
The Hawks had six players score in double figures in Game 4, but only John Collins (who scored just four points in Game 4) is predicted to go over his Game 4 point total tonight. And even though Collins is projected to score 15.5 points, the over on his prop (+100) is a major underdog.
Kevin Huerter (projected 13.5 points) and Clint Capela (projected 10.5 points) will both need to build on strong Game 4 performances for the Hawks, but Huerter is expected to go under (-116) his point total. Capela, who had 15 points in Game 4, is questionable with an eye injury even though he is slightly favored to hit the over (-115) on his prop.
With Young questionable for Game 5, the Hawks could be facing an uphill battle in Milwaukee.
The Hawks say Trae Young (right foot bone bruise) is questionable for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, as Clint Capela (right eye inflammation).
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2021
Remember, the Hawks were blown out in Game 2 in Milwaukee when Young shot just 6-for-16 from the field, but Thursday’s game will have a whole different feel.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Game 5 after hyperextending his knee, which means we will have two teams with completely different looks if Young also sits.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Game 5 vs. Hawks on Thursday with his left knee hyperextension.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2021
I’m still standing by my prediction that the Hawks are better suited to play without Young given their bench depth, especially with the return of Cam Reddish, but Vegas doesn’t seem to feel the same.
The Hawks have been an underdog story all postseason, and they are looking to overcome being 2.5-point underdogs in Game 5 whether Young can suit up or not.