Bucks vs. Hawks on MLK Day: A Battle of Struggling Squads Streaming Exclusively on Peacock
Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become a marquee moment on the NBA calendar, and this year is no different with four of Monday’s nine games getting the national spotlight. But if you’re looking to catch the Bucks and Hawks square off, you’ll need a subscription - this one’s streaming exclusively on Peacock.
Two Teams Searching for Answers
Let’s be honest - neither the Bucks nor the Hawks are exactly lighting it up right now. Milwaukee comes in at 17-24, having dropped their last two games by a combined 51 points.
That’s not just a rough patch - that’s a team trying to find its footing in a season that’s slipping away. They currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference, just outside the play-in picture.
Atlanta isn’t in much better shape. Despite holding the 10th spot in the East, the Hawks have lost three straight, and the average margin in those defeats?
A staggering 22.3 points. This is a team that’s been reeling - and they just made a major move to shake things up.
A New Era in Atlanta
On January 7, the Hawks pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade, sending star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. In return, they brought in veteran scorer C.J.
McCollum and sharpshooter Corey Kispert. It’s a bold pivot - Young had been the face of the franchise, but with free agency looming (pending a player option), the Hawks decided to move on.
This game marks the first meeting between these two teams this season, and with both squads in flux, it’s hard to predict what we’ll see. But one thing’s for sure: there’s plenty of intrigue.
How to Watch and Listen
- TV: Not available on traditional television.
- Streaming: Available exclusively on Peacock (subscription required).
- Announcers: Mark Followill (play-by-play), Austin Rivers (analyst), and Ashley ShahAhmadi (sideline) will be on the call.
Tip-off Time
- Date: Monday, Jan. 19
- Time: 12:00 p.m. CT
Radio Coverage
- Milwaukee: AM-620 WTMJ and statewide affiliates, with Dave Koehn on the mic.
- SiriusXM: Bucks broadcast available on the SiriusXM app; Hawks broadcast on Channel 212.
Odds Snapshot (via BetMGM as of Jan. 18)
- Spread: Hawks favored by 2.5
- Over/Under: 231.5
- Moneyline: Bucks +115, Hawks -140
It’s a tight line, which speaks volumes about the uncertainty surrounding both teams. The oddsmakers are expecting a close one, but with both squads struggling on defense lately, the high over/under reflects the potential for a shootout.
What’s Next for the Bucks
Milwaukee’s road doesn’t get any easier. After this midday matchup in Atlanta, they’ve got a tough stretch ahead:
- Jan. 21: vs. Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m.
- Jan. 23: vs. Denver, 8:30 p.m.
- Jan. 25: vs. Dallas, 6:00 p.m.
- Jan. 27: at Philadelphia, 7:00 p.m.
If the Bucks are going to turn things around and make a push toward the postseason, it starts now. And it starts with figuring out how to stop the bleeding - fast.
Final Word
This isn’t just another midseason matchup. It’s two teams trying to find themselves in the thick of a turbulent season, each with new questions to answer and plenty on the line. Whether it’s McCollum fitting into his new role in Atlanta or the Bucks searching for consistency, this one’s worth tuning into - even if it means logging into a streaming app instead of flipping on the TV.