Hawks vs Bucks: Game Preview, Injury Report, Projected Starting Lineups

Jackson Caudell | Mar 30, 2024

Dec 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) puts up a shot / Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks have a big opportunity in front of them tonight, but they are going to have to go through Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks if they want to get their fifth straight win and come closer to both the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Standings. 

It has been a wild week for Atlanta. They came back from a West Coast trip and dominated Charlotte, came back from 30 points down and beat Boston, defeated Portland, and then Dejounte Murray scored 44 points and hit the game-winning shot in overtime vs Boston on Thursday. Atlanta has started to play well when it matters most and they will be looking to build on that tonight. 

They might be getting back some reinforcements as well. Jalen Johnson (right ankle sprain) was upgraded to questionable yesterday and he could make his return after reinjuring his ankle in a loss vs the Lakers. Milwaukee is going to be missing one of their key pieces tonight, as Damian Lillard is not going to be able to suit up. Still, the Bucks have Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton and will be tough to handle in this rematch of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. 

So how do these two teams match up?

Game Preview

With Trae Young out, Dejounte Murray has had to take it upon himself to create more offense for the Hawks and he has done so, none more evident than last game vs Boston. Murray shot the ball 44 times including 19 threes, and scored 44 points and the Hawks needed every one of them. The Bucks do not have defenders like Jrue Holiday and Derrick White and on paper, this is an easier matchup for him as a scorer. I don't know if he scores over 40 again, but he should have the shot volume. 

Bogdan Bogdanovic has been playing well this week, especially in the two games against the Celtics. His three-point shooting has dipped to below 30% in the last two games, but he is getting to the basket and scoring still. He can also take advantage of a weaker Milwaukee perimeter defense. 

After having the game of his life on Monday vs Boston, Vit Krejci has scored nine points in the last two games behind. The Hawks don't need him to score a lot, but the offense is better when he can hit threes and contribute on offense. If Johnson is back tonight, Krejci could move to the bench, unless Johnson comes off the bench. 

De'Andre Hunter has moved back into the starting lineup with Johnson out and I don't see the Hawks taking him out. He is playing major minutes now after being on a minutes restriction coming back from his injury. He shot the ball well from three in both games against Boston and he will likely be tasked with guarding Middleton tonight as well. 

It will be interesting to see how the Hawks use Johnson tonight if he plays. Will he start and play his normal amount of minutes? Will he come off the bench? Atlanta could use him back, but there is no need to rush him back. 

The player that might be the most important for the Hawks tonight is Clint Capela, who is playing his best basketball of the season. Capela has a double-double in 10 of the last 11 games and one area where the Bucks struggle is rebounding. The Hawks scored 28 second-chance points against the Celtics on Thursday and that was the difference in the game. He might also spend time guarding Giannis tonight. 

The bench players for the Hawks have been playing well during this winning streak, especially Garrison Matthews. Matthews is shooting the ball well from three and brings scoring off the bench. Bruno Fernando, Trent Forrest, and Wesley Matthews are other guys you will likely see tonight. 

The Hawks come into this game 5th in PPG, 20th in field goal percentage, 7th in three-point attempts, 17th in three-point percentage, 6th in free-throw attempts, 2nd in offensive rebounding, and 14th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 8th in points per 100 possessions, 16th in effective field goal percentage, 10th in turnover percentage, 5th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 10th in free throw rate.

The Bucks are one of the best offensive teams in the NBA, but their defense can picked on this year, which is different from Milwaukee teams of the past few years. The offense is going to take a hit tonight without Lillard though. 

The Bucks offense comes into this game 4th in PPG, 7th in field goal percentage, 6th in three-point attempts, 8th in three-point percentage, 2nd in free throw attempts, 28th in offensive rebounding, and 10th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, they are 5th in points per 100 possessions, 4th in effective field goal percentage, 6th in turnover percentage, 27th offensive rebounding percentage, and 4th in free throw rate. 

Atlanta's defense has not changed much in terms of numbers over the last 15 or so games. They are 28th in PPG allowed, 27th in field goal percentage allowed, and 28th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 29th in effective field goal percentage. 

Finding a way to slow down Giannis and not let him dominate the game, winning on the boards, and effective three-point shooting is how the Hawks will likely need to win tonight. 

Injury Report

Jalen Johnson is questionable with a right ankle sprain while Saddiq Bey (left knee torn ACL), Kobe Bufkin (left big toe sprain), AJ Griffin (right ankle sprain), Mouhamed Gueye (right UCL sprain), Trae Young (left fifth finger torn ligament), and Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe sprain) are all out for the Hawks tonight.

Damian Lillard is out for the Bucks while Giannis, Middleton, MarJon Beauchamp, and Pat Beverley are probable. 

Viewing and Betting information

Tip-off time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast, NBATV

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks will be underdogs at home tonight, as they are currently 3.5 point underdogs according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 224.5.

Projected Starting Lineups

Hawks:

G- Bogdan Bogdanovic

G- Dejounte Murray

F- Vit Krejci

F- De'Andre Hunter

C- Clint Capela

If Johnson plays, I would not be surprised if he starts over Krejci and he comes off the bench. 

Bucks:

G- Pat Beverley

G- Malik Beasley

F-Khris Middleton

F- Giannis Antetokounmpo

C-Brook Lopez