In a tough weekend for Packers fans, we, of course, now, get to turn our attention to the Milwaukee Bucks. To catch you up, the Bucks have been dominant so far this season as a team in rebounding, point differential, and started the year with an obnoxiously long six-game home stand. The 9-0 Milwaukee Bucks take on the 6-3 Atlanta Hawks Monday night in Atlanta. The NBA purposely did not schedule games on Tuesday, Nov. 8th to allow people time to vote. We don’t talk politics in this space except for now: please make sure you vote and that your voice is heard. As for Bucks-Hawks, here’s what you can expect:
There is a good chance the Bucks star and possible MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will suit up tonight with the built-in off-day tomorrow.
The Hawks are a good team with good players: Trae Young, Clint Capela, and Dejounte Murray. They are in first place in the southeast division of the eastern conference.
Vegas has the Bucks as 3-point favorites over the Hawks.
Keys for the Bucks vs. the Hawks
The keys for the Bucks vs. Hawks will be to continue to play good team basketball. For them, this means they have to pass the ball and rebound as a team. This 9-0 start simply reinforces good Bucks basketball: pass the ball, shoot threes, rebound, and play lock-down 4th quarter defense. When the Bucks are bad, they stand around and wait for Giannis to do something. When they are great, like they have been, they play great team basketball.
The Bucks are currently first in the NBA in team rebounding. (51.8 per game)
Milwaukee is currently 2nd in the NBA +/-. (Net changes in the score)
The Bucks Opponent: The Atlanta Hawks
Like the Bucks, the Hawks are a good team. In an imploding Eastern conference, they should be a team to keep an eye on. Atlanta is doing it “the right way”, developing young players and building through the draft.
Young is third in the NBA in assists and is 9th in scoring. Subsequently, he can flat-out shoot and play. Dejounte Murray has certainly proven to be an excellent compliment to young. Murray is currently 25th in the league in scoring and is 8th in assists.
John Collins is a good, strong interior presence. But unlike the Bucks, the Hawks are in the bottom third of the NBA in team rebounding. Former Badger hero Frank Kaminsky is on the Hawks. He does not play a ton, but you can always look for his familiar face.
Things to Tell Your buddies as You are Watch
- Unlike the Bucks, the Hawks currently own the second-longest drought (behind the Sacramento Kings) of not winning an NBA championship at 60 seasons.
- The Atlanta Hawks’ mascot is named “Skyhawk”. (Our guy is named Bango in case you forgot)
- No expansion team in pro sports history earned a championship quicker than the Bucks, who captured the 1971 NBA title in just their third season of existence.
Follow me on Twitter at @authorrudylb and check out my other writings at www.rudylb.com. Follow us at @WiSportsHeroics! For all things Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
