Bryan Albin’s NBA Pick of the Day 4/26/10
Atlanta Hawks (-1.5) @ Milwaukee Bucks   8:30 EDT

This is the 4th game of a best seven series with the Hawks currently leading the series 2 games to 1. Atlanta won the first two games of the series at home, but Saturday, the Bucks dominated the game on their home court and will look to do the same tonight.

HOT START
Many people expected the Hawks to continue to dominate this series in game 3. However, the Bucks had something else in mind by playing a nearly perfect first quarter. After 12 minutes of play Milwaukee led 36-19, a deficit from which Atlanta could never come back. Quick starts for underdog home teams in the postseason is always trouble for road teams, as it leads to an inspired crowd that the home team continues to feed off of. If Milwaukee can start hot again, it might be able to even this series at 2-2.

COLD HAWKS
The Atlanta Hawks are well known for having one of the most balanced attacks in the NBA. In games 1 and 2, this attack was on display as every Hawks starter scored in double figures both games. However, in the game 3 loss Saturday night, G Joe Johnson (25 points) and C Al Horford (10 points) were the only Hawks starters to score in double figures. G Mike Bibby, F Marvin Williams and F Josh Smith need to come back strong and get back to their scoring ways so that the Hawks have the balanced attack that led them to 53 wins in the regular season.

KEYS TO THE GAME

• Atlanta needs t come out sharper in game 4. Some people question whether or not the Hawks were cocky coming into game 3. Now that it is 2-1, they need to prove their mental toughness by overcoming the pro-Bucks crowd and winning the first quarter.
• The Bucks have learned that to survive in this series they need G’s Brandon Jennings and John Salmons clicking a the same time.In game 1 Jennings lit the Hawks up for 34 points, but Salmons only went 6-18 from the field. In game 2, Salmons has 21 points, but Jennings only mustered 9 points. Both of those games resulted in losses. If Salmons and Jennings get hot in the same game, Milwaukee will probably win.
• Milwaukee is 29-13 at home this year, Atlanta is 19-23 on the road.

Pick: Atlanta 98, Milwaukee 92, Atlanta covers