NBA Best Bets: Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds to Consider on DraftKings Sportsbook for Hawks vs. Bucks Game 5

Follow along on Twitter (@julianedlow) for any potential updates — things can always change with potential lineup moves leading up to tipoff. Here’s what jumps out to me for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on DraftKings Sportsbook.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Hawks PG Trae Young (foot) has been ruled out Thursday vs. the Bucks.

Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks

MIL -3 (-105)

Consider this a lean on the game since there are props I’m potentially much more interested in than firing on a side. But just like the Hawks were able to dominate at home without their best player, the Bucks should be able to grind one out, too.

If Trae Young (foot) is ruled out again, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday should be the two best players on the floor. While both of their props are set a little too high for me, I still expect them both to step their games up at home in a must-win. I’d be shocked if the Hawks’ role players can reproduce that Game 4 performance on the road, even without Giannis Antetokounmpo. That injury really deflated the Bucks in Game 4, and the run that ensued essentially ended the game.

But even if Young does play, he’s legitimately injured, otherwise we would’ve seen him on Tuesday. We’ve seen stars try to play through injuries (Anthony Davis/James Harden) and look like a shell of themselves. The props that I’m waiting for are on Bobby Portis. I’d anticipate he could start in place of Antetokounmpo in this game, and Portis has been having a very strong series in limited minutes. In the nine games Antetokounmpo missed this season, Portis filled in by playing over 27 minutes per game, with averages of 15.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and two assists. His overs would be my favorite plays in the game.

Kevin Huerter OVER 21.5 Points/Rebounds/Assists (-121)

Bogdan Bogdanovic OVER 23.5 Points/Rebounds/Assists (-110)

Like I did in Game 4, if Young does wind up ruled out, I’ll try and take advantage of the huge usage boost we can expect for “Bogi” and “K’Von” in the backcourt. Both were tremendous in the Game 4 victory. While I’d expect the road atmosphere to be a bit tougher on them, the volume without Young will still be there.

Bogdanovic has been dealing with a knee injury since the middle of the last round, but he seems to have turned a corner. He played 35 minutes in the Game 3 loss, and while he shot just 3-for-16, the chances were there. He came through in Game 4, shooting 7-for-19, including 6 of 14 from deep, to finish with a 20-3-5 line. Huerter was actually cold from beyond the arc (1-for-7), but made 6 of 8 from two-point range, going for 15-6-7. Very reasonable numbers on both guards who will play big minutes and get increased usage in Young’s potential absence. Remember, we won’t be firing on these if Young plays.

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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

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