NBA 2022/23, Tuesday, 15.11.2022
The already contested basketball clash between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks is one of the most exciting games of this still young 2022/23 NBA season, but the already third regular-season duel could be the most one-sided one yet.
My Bucks Hawks prediction provides insight into why the Green and Whites simply cannot win without their Big Three on the floor, both factually and statistically, not against this formidable squad led by Trae Young.
The new NBA season is not even three weeks old, but amazingly, both opponents have already faced each other 4 times. The interim result: 3 to 1 after games for the Hawks – but beware!
The first two victories of Atlanta took place during the preseason and thus had the sporting value of pure preparation games. The better start to the season – even the best in the entire NBA – was recorded by the Bucks (10:2).
But this almost flawless record could deteriorate significantly in the coming weeks. In their last outing against the Spurs, the Green and Whites, who were severely shorthanded, suffered a bitter, albeit expected, defeat.
The Bucks went into the clash against San Antonio with a record of 10-1, the last time the Green and Whites got off to such a bombastic start was in the 1980/81 season.
However, as already mentioned, they were hit by injuries: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton – the Big Three of the current Eastern Conference leaders – were and are all injured.
The defeat against the Spurs was therefore, in a way, inevitable. Over the last three seasons, the Bucks have lost seven of their eight NBA games in which their Big Three were not on the floor.
In addition to Antetokounmpo’s knee problems, Grayson Allen had to be substituted right after the tip-off against the Spurs – his return for the game against the Hawks is also considered unlikely.
The defeat against the Texans was also the result of such a shortage of replacements. Many of the key players who were on the floor for longer against San Antonio had to work hard beforehand.
Just two days earlier, the Bucks had to go into overtime twice against Oklahoma City. In this basketball marathon, six players were on the floor for more than 30 minutes, while Brook Lopez (46) and Jevor Carter (45) even added another quarter of an hour.
The Bucks were clearly overtired in the game against the Spurs. Consequently, the few days of regeneration will have done them good to at least refresh their energy reserves a little.
Nevertheless, should Antetokounmpo and Holliday be absent again, I can’t imagine that the Hawks will let themselves be deprived of another victory over Milwaukee. Especially since they themselves have started the new season strong with a record of 8-2.
Antetokounmpo and Holliday were already on the floor against Atlanta on 8 November in the clear 98:117 loss, but without being able to help their team to victory.
Without their Big Three, I have already shown the reader how low the basketball analysts think the Eastern Conference leaders’ chances of success are.
But the betting companies with a German licence seem to have either not noticed the injury problems on the side of the Green and Whites or are confident that some key players will return in time for the tip-off.
In any case, the Bucks Hawks odds have been set up to favour the Green and Whites.
Personally, I can live very well with the 2.55 average offered for an Atlanta win. The 1.57 for a home win by Milwaukee, on the other hand, is meagre and also involves considerably more risk.
Conclusion: This set-up has already given us two entertaining NBA games, but the third edition should be more one-sided – at least if the rumours turn out to be true.
Antetokounmpo is having trouble putting weight on his knee, while Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen are also likely to need a few more days to recover.
While it is always important as an NBA fan to be aware of the injury status until shortly before the start of the game, even if these key performers were to somehow play, they would need to be at 100% to actually take on Atlanta.
My Bucks Hawks tip: The visitors are ahead in the end!
