Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 14th 2024
Preview and Prediction
LAS VEGAS The Milwaukee Bucks are returning to the NBA Cup semifinals after falling short in Sin City last season. This time, they will have the responsibility of stopping one of the league's greatest showmen, Trae Young, and the Atlanta Hawks.
Young displayed his signature flair during the Hawks' 108-100 victory over the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, rolling imaginary dice over the Knicks' midcourt logo as a nod to the team's trip to Vegas.
This is just one example of Young's flashy style, which the Knicks have witnessed firsthand over the years. The Bucks have also experienced Young's big-game prowess in the 2021 Eastern Conference finals, although his performance was hindered by an ankle injury in Game 3.
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If "Ice Trae" has his way, the Bucks will be the next victims of his prime-time heroics on Saturday night. However, Young prefers not to dwell on past memories.
"I don't let past events anger me or hold grudges," said the 26-year-old Young. "I'm not super young anymore, where I let those things affect me. I remember it like it was yesterday. It definitely hurts, but I'm part of a new team now. They're a different team. I can't let my past affect my mindset and focus on the present, because it's a completely different situation."
Young is averaging 21 points and 12.2 assists per game, a feat only matched by Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas in a single NBA season. He has also received significant support from fourth-year forward Jalen Johnson, who is averaging 19.8 points and a team-high 10.1 rebounds per game.
The Hawks earned the No. 3 seed in the NBA Cup knockout stage after going 3-1 in the East Group C phase. They are currently one of the hottest teams in the league, winning seven of their last eight games.
The Bucks, on the other hand, are the only remaining team from last year's NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas. They had a short trip, losing 128-119 to the Pacers, but the experience has better prepared them for the distractions that come with this stage.
At the very least, they now have a better understanding of what it takes to win the NBA Cup.
"I think last year, most people didn't even realize the significance until we reached the final stages," said Bucks star Damian Lillard. "When we played against New York last year, where the winner would advance to Vegas, we began to understand the stakes. This season, I think everyone has a better understanding. Everyone cares more, not just because of the opportunity to win money. Although it's not our ultimate goal, it gives us an edge. We want to be the last team standing and win the money. We want to continue moving in the right direction as a team."
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The Bucks entered Tuesday's quarterfinal as the top seed in the East in NBA Cup play, with a 4-0 record in East Group B despite a rocky 2-8 start to the season. They have won nine of their last 11 games and have surpassed a .500 record by defeating the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday and the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
As of Friday afternoon, Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the NBA in scoring with an average of 32.7 points and a team-high 11.4 rebounds per game. Lillard has also played at an All-Star level, averaging 25.8 points and 7.6 assists per game. Bobby Portis (13.2 ppg) and Brook Lopez (11 ppg) are the only other Bucks players averaging double figures.
Will Despart,
Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks Recap DEC 4TH 2024
Wisconsin native Jalen Johnson scored 23 and De'Andre Hunter added 20 to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 119-104 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks, ending their seven-game win streak.
Once again, the Hawks got scoring from many different places, with eight players scoring at least eight. Clint Capela grabbed 17 rebounds with his eight points, while Johnson grabbed 13.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 along with 11 boards. Damian Lillard added 25 with five assists.
The Bucks started out strong in this one, getting a lead as high as 10 in the first quarter, however the Hawks stormed back.
Atlanta used a 9-0 run to take a 3-point lead into the second and kept the momentum going. They led 70-59 at the halftime break.
Bogdanovic led the way with 13 while Johnson had 12 at halftime. Antetokounmpo had 19 for Milwaukee, with nine of those being from the free-throw line.
Atlanta got out on the break in the half, scoring 26 points on the fast break compared to seven for Milwaukee. Nine Bucks turnovers helped that cause as well as Milwaukee missing 13 of their 21 3-point attempts.
Atlanta grew a lead as high as 20 points in the third quarter.
The Bucks did respond and get closer, thanks to a 12-0 run with four consecutive 3-pointers. That brought them within eight with 3:33 to go in the third.
From there though, Milwaukee couldn't capitalize on its opportunities. The Hawks quickly grew another double-digit advantage and didn't look back, cruising the rest of the way.
The Bucks committed 18 turnovers on the night while Atlanta also dominated the glass, grabbing 55 boards compared to Milwaukee's 40.
Milwaukee's seven-game win streak was the longest active streak in the NBA.
There's a possibility these teams could play again next Sunday in NBA Cup play, depending on how each perform in their Quarterfinal matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday night.