There was no official update regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks star’s condition after he suffered a hyper-extended injury in the left knee during Milwaukee’s game at Atlanta.
But, according to sportsbooks from Las Vegas, the winner of MVP will miss Thursday’s crucial Game 5 and the rest of the series, which is now at 2-2.
Bookies made an adjustment of six-point based on the expected miss by the player. After finishing at 8 1/2-point in Game 2, the Bucks are 2 1/2-point favorites in Game 5.
Sportsbook director of William Hill, Nick Bogdanovich, commented that they opened with -3. The Sharps took up to 3, and they went to 2 1/2, giving the Sharps the impression Giannis will be out. Nick feels that Trae Young is worth 4 or 5 points.
Atlanta’s top guard, Trae Young, missed Game 4 due to a bone injury in his foot. If Young returns in Game 5 while Antetokounmpo is out, Sherman believes the line will go to Milwaukee -1.
Jeff Sherman, the Westgate VP, commented that the series is equal at 2-2. While Giannis isn’t playing and Young is expected to be back in the game, the Bucks can gain points. The Bucks have Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and others, giving them a chance to be home.
Milwaukee’s chances of reaching the finals without Antetokounmpo aren’t zero, according to Bogdanovich. Playoffs are cursed with players like Anthony Davis, James Harden, Kyrie Irving getting injured.
The coming Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns standing at -120 are expected to hold the NBA title, followed by the Hawks at 5-1, the Los Angeles Clippers at 8-1, and the Bucks at +325. Sherman praised the Suns’ luck in the playoffs, citing that they will face the Los Angeles Lakers since Davis isn’t playing, the Denver Nuggets are playing without Murray, and the Clippers are without Leonard.
On Wednesday, Westgate booked the 2022 NBA title while waiting for the status of Antetokounmpo’s injury.
Since Young, Giannis, and Kawhi could not make it, Bogdanovich described the situation as a complete disaster. Bogdanovich also mentioned keeping an eye on it. The next game is expected to have a different outcome and a new injury going by the playoff trends.
