Ricky Dimon
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A short four-game slate in the NBA on Thursday features a double-header on TNT. It begins with this showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks before the Boston Celtics visit the Los Angeles Lakers. Both contests are getting the same game parlay treatment they deserve. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Milwaukee vs. Milwaukee, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Hawks ML (+164)
Bogdan Bogdanovic Over 17.5 points (-112)
Khris Middleton to make 3+ three-pointers (+168)
Parlay odds: +1037
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is part of the plan here, as a productive performance by Bogdan Bogdanovic would obviously go a long way toward Atlanta’s chances of pulling off an upset. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with picking Khris Middleton to drain at least a trio of three-pointers. But even if Middleton does that, the Hawks still should have a good shot at victory.
Hawks ML (+164)
It sounds like Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to be playing on Thursday night, but that remains to be seen for sure. The Greek Freak has not played since his 47-point performance against Portland at the start of the month and the Bucks have gone 3-3 without him. Milwaukee is just 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games and just 5-11 ATS in its last 16 encounters with the Hawks. Atlanta has won seven of eight games. Head coach Nate McMillan’s team was without Trae Young and Danilo Gallinari but was still able to beat the Raptors 108-103 on Tuesday. Both of them should be back tonight. Under McMillan, the Hawks have gone 18-6 and find themselves in fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. They are also 7-1 ATS in their last eight games and 8-1 ATS in their last nine at home.
Bogdan Bogdanovic Over 17.5 points (-112)
Bogdan Bogdanovic’s play has been exceptional of late, a huge reason why the Hawks are on such fire. This probably would have happened much earlier in the season, but the former Sacramento King was injured. Armed with a clean bill of health at long last, Bogdanovic is balling. He has scored at least 21 points in four of three last five games, including a 32-point outing against the Hornets. With a lot of other Hawks still banged up (even Trae Young might be out for this game), Bogdanovic will once again be asked to do a lot.
Khris Middleton to make 3+ three-pointers (+168)
The Hawks are far more committed to defense this season than they have been in the past. But that isn’t saying a ton, and they don’t defend the three-ball very well. After all, Clint Capela can’t guard every position on the floor and De’Andre Hunter is out. Atlanta is giving up more than 13 made threes per game over its last four games. Middleton drained three from distance in the Bucks’ last game and he is shooting a career-best 43.5 percent from the land of plenty in 2020-21.
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