The NBA has a limited schedule on Saturday. In the late game, the Milwaukee Bucks will face the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-game day on March 30th, 2024 (7:40 PM ET). Milwaukee has been struggling a little bit lately. Meanwhile, Atlanta is trying to lock up a spot in the Eastern Conference's play-in tournament, if not improving on their seeding. For the game at hand, the Hawks are underdogs at +4.0 (bet365) but look more dangerous than that, in my opinion. My Bucks vs Hawks prediction is that the latter team will win this game as an underdog.
NBA Game Preview at a Glance
Away: Milwaukee Bucks
Home: Atlanta Hawks
Game time: Saturday, March 30th, 2024 @ 7:40 PM ET
Bucks vs Hawks odds (home team's spread): +4.0 (bet365)
Milwaukee vs Atlanta Prediction: Recent NBA News
The Bucks played on Thursday, a game that they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 107-100. The result was the second loss in a row for Milwaukee, who previously fell to the LA Lakers earlier this week. The Bucks are not looking like a contender for the NBA title at this point. As per the points below, the team has been losing more than they have been winning in their recent games.
Milwaukee Bucks: Recent Form Alert
Formerly: 41 - 21 heading into March 6th, 2024
Currently: 46 - 27 (overall)
Recent form: 5 - 6 since March 6th, 2024
Recent winning rate: .455
Milwaukee Bucks injuries: recent news
Milwaukee has a depth chart with a lot of roster concerns as of midday on Saturday. Damian Lillard is out for this game for personal reasons. Meanwhile, starters Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both probable for the game as is backup point guard Patrick Beverley.
Bucks backers are in a tricky spot with all of these players probable. The situation in the point guard position could really go against Milwaukee. Lillard is already out, so if Beverley is downgraded then that will lead to the deeper bench taking big minutes and players possibly playing out of position.
Double-check for playing status updates with Milwaukee (12:48 ET time of writing): Team's Depth Chart
The Atlanta Hawks also played on Thursday. The team edged the Boston Celtics in overtime for their fourth straight win. The Hawks have gone 10-8 since the end of the All-Star break, which is a decent record by this team's standards. Heading into Saturday, they are not facing much pressure for the final spot in the play-in tournament for the East as Brooklyn is well back of them.
Atlanta Hawks injuries: recent news
Starter Jalen Johnson is questionable for this game due to an ankle injury, according to Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network. A couple of second-string players are also out for this game, namely Kobe Bufkin and Onyeka Okongwu.
Double-check status updates Atlanta (12:48 ET time of writing):: Team's Depth Chart
Bucks vs Hawks Prediction: Betting Tips
The Atlanta Hawks were 24-32 before the Trae Young injury, or 8 games below .500. Since February 23rd, the team has gone 10-7 or 3 games above .500. Young is an offensive juggernaut but his defense isn't good. The way it looks so far is that Atlanta is better off without him.
With Milwaukee missing Lillard and with a trio of key players injured and ambiguous for this game, bettors should take Atlanta on the moneyline. They are out at the plus odds of +150 (bet365) for this game.
Additional reading: Who should be the favorite for the 2024 French Open?
