Milwaukee Bucks (10-9) vs Atlanta Hawks (11-11)
December 4, 2024 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Milwaukee Bucks -189 / Atlanta Hawks +160 — Over/Under: 237.5
This matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks on December 4, 2024, promises to be an exciting clash featuring two teams with distinct strengths. The Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and are looking to maintain their position in the upper tier of the Eastern Conference. Giannis, who is averaging 32.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, will be the focal point of their offense, especially as they look to exploit the Hawks’ defensive inconsistencies.
On the other side, the Hawks are a bit more unpredictable but are powered by Trae Young, who continues to lead the team with 20.9 points and 12.2 assists per game. While the Hawks have a potent offense, averaging 116.5 points per game, they also allow a lot of points, ranking poorly in defense, which could be a factor against a high-powered Bucks team.
Giannis Antetokoumpo Over 31.5 Points
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been putting up impressive numbers in the 2024-25 NBA season. Through 17 games, he is averaging 32.9 points per game. His field goal shooting has been stellar, with a 60.9% field goal percentage on 13.2 field goals made per game. From the three-point line, he’s shooting just 0.2 threes per game at a modest 21.4% but is excelling at the rim. Additionally, he’s hitting 6.4 free throws out of 10.5 attempts per game, maintaining a solid 61.2% free throw percentage.
Giannis is coming off a game where he only scored 28 points against the Detroit Pistons. but this is a great spot for him To get back over 30 points against a bad Hawks defense. The Hawks are giving up 119 points per game to opposing teams which is the third most in the league. This match has one of the highest totals on Wednesday’s whole NBA slate which sets up perfectly for Giannis to have a massive game.
Damian Lillard Over 7.5 Assists
Damian Lillard has been averaging 7.8 assists per game over 16 games with the Milwaukee Bucks. He is playing 36.2 minutes per game, contributing significantly to the team’s ball movement. Lillard’s assist totals are boosted by his partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he averages 3.7 assists to the forward per 36 minutes on the court together. His assist numbers are also supported by his high efficiency in passing and scoring.
Damian Lillard had a stretch of games where he had a double-digit assist in four of five games but is coming off a game against the Detroit Pistons where he only had five. This is a perfect spot for Dame to get back on track and have a big assist night. The Hawks are giving up 26.9 assists per game which is well above the league average. This should be a high-scoring game which will fare well for Dame facilitating the ball.
Jalen Johnson Over 19.5 Points
As of December 2024, Jalen Johnson is averaging 20.1 points per game for the Atlanta Hawks in the 2024-25 NBA season. He has been shooting efficiently, with a 50.2% field goal percentage and a solid 37.2% from three. He also contributes 9.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, showing his versatility. Johnson has been consistently involved in scoring and playmaking, making significant contributions to the Hawks’ offense.
Jalen Johnson has been a pleasant surprise for this Hawks offense this season. We’ve seen him score 20 or more points in seven of his last 10 games. He’s taken a lot of pressure off Trae Young’s back and has become one of this team’s main scores. in a game that should be high-scoring and fast-paced, I love Jalen Johnson to have a big night score in the ball. in my opinion, Jalen Johnson is still undervalued by oddsmakers and they’re still a lot of value with his line set below 20 points.