This was my write-up for picking the Hawks in Game 1:

"I must admit that I was quite surprised to see the Atlanta Hawks beat the Philadelphia 76ers in a playoff series, but now they have my attention.

Could the Hawks be this season's Cinderella team, like Miami was in 2020?

I really don't think the Milwaukee Bucks would be here if not for the Nets getting depleted by injuries, and the Bucks still needed seven games to get past them.

Bucks are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, and this is way too many points to spot an underrated Atlanta team that has shown a tremendous never-say-die attitude."

After Atlanta's outright win in the opener, are we now supposed to fear the deer and back the Bucks in a blowout? Yes and no IMO. While a desperate Milwaukee team should win this one straight up, this is still way too many to give Atlanta.


10* play on Atlanta Hawks.