Theyre the biggest threat by default for those reasons. For the 2021-22 season, the Bucks and Celtics are an even 2-2: November 12: Bucks lose in overtime, 122-113. 76ers5. Bucks below. Something that freaks me out a little bit, however, is the fact that the Bucks are riding a 10 game win streak where Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 37 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists not to mention hes shooting just about 60% from the field. Check out his reasoning from Monday's episode of "First Take" in the video below: Another Celtics-Bucks playoff series feels inevitable at this point, and if it does happen this spring, it likely would take place in the Eastern Conference finals. 15 Most Clutch Players in Franchise History. The Bucks have struggled to get healthy this season, but theyve still had the leagues fifth-best Point Differential (+3.8), and their struggles have largely been on the offensive side of the ball while their defense has remained elite. The Boston Celtics (41-16) are still the NBA's best team and have a date on Valentine's Day with the Milwaukee Bucks (39-17), who are on a 10-game winning streak and currently sit directly behind the Celtics. The Celtics and Bucks are neck-and-neck for the No. But it is something to keep an eye on, nonetheless. Without him, Im not sure they have the scoring to compete with Boston, the No. . Even though the Cavs can pose some interesting problems, I dont really view them as being ready or experienced enough to compete in a playoff environment, especially against the Celtics. Boston avenges its two overtime losses from early on in the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Pat Connaughton (calf) are listed as probable tonight. After racking up wins against the likes of the Nuggets, Heat, Lakers, and Clippers (twice), Milwaukee was likely looking forward to their toughest matchup yet since their co-stars' return: a date on national television with the league-leading Boston Celtics. The Boston Celtics and Bucks are the two best teams in the NBA and they appear to be on a collision course for the conference finals (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images). The Celtics could definitely beat the Heat again, but it would be a real battle. The model also knows the Bucks are outstanding on defense. Theyve been playing some excellent basketball, and if Embiid and the rest of the crew are healthy come playoff time, they could be dangerous despite their past blunders against Boston. I think its entirely possible that Boston lets its players rest as this is the first game of a back-to-back set as the team heads into the All-Star Break. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook's lines around the Bucks vs. Celtics odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions. The Cleveland Cavaliers play against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden The Cleveland Cavaliers are spending $3,872,069 per win while the Boston Celtics are spending $4,035,058 per win Game Time: 7:30 If he can manage to hold the Bucks and Giannis to shooting below 73% from that five foot range, the Cs would be in a good place. Opt-in Now, *Eligible USA locations only. It will be one of the toughest challenges of the 35-year-old's 15-year career. Middleton averaged 20.1 points per game this season and has been Milwaukees most feared perimeter threat for several years. The Bucks are dealing with some missing players too, but theres arent nearly as bad. Its the Bucks, but after that, its the Cavaliers. As good as the Celtics are, theyre better off looking forward to the next time these two teams meet on March 30. However, there are several reasons to not put a lot of stock into those results, because on only one occasion were both teams at full strength. Next up: the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. Celtics fans know all too well how impactful the three-time All-Star can be, as he has torched Boston on multiple occasions in the postseason. The Boston Celtics and Bucks are the two best teams in the NBA and they appear to be on a collision course for the conference finals. Khris Middleton suffered an MCL sprain during Game 2 against Chicago and has been ruled out through the second round. Please check your email for a confirmation. Bucks2. After an uncharacteristic and all-around bizarre Game One performance from the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee achieved its mission of splitting road games. However, the Cs have dominated from a full series standpoint, having eliminated the Bucks five times in seven opportunities. The Bucks have covered in four straight and have gone 7-3 ATS since Giannis and Middleton have returned. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. And NBA analysts often label the Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, who are second in the East, as the league's top teams. Its a bit surprising to see the NBAs first-place team as a 9.5-point underdog, but it makes sense considering how banged-up their lineup is. The two teams have been close all season, especially in the power rankings. While the Celtics (43-17) have won the first two matchups, they currently only hold a three-game lead over Philly (39-19) and a half-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks (42-17) as the No.1 seed in the East. It includes total games, wins and losses, scores, overtimes, dates and evolution of their head to head record. Feb 27, 2023 Feb 27, 2023 Updated 4 min ago 0 Kevin and Donnie break down how much better the Boston Celtics are compared to the Milwaukee Bucks heading into the back end of the NBA regular season . There is no shortage of excitement on today's NBA schedule, including the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Dallas Mavericks.Here are the betting odds to break down before today's NBA action.NBA League Pass: The most live games plus NBA TV. As the premier matchup of the NBA's Christmas slate of games, the Celtics turned that little bit of momentum into a lot more, scoring a commanding 139-118 blowout over the Bucks to put . Hes also hit the over in four of his last six outings against the Celtics. If the Bucks and Boston Celtics meet in the Conference Finals, it would be the first time they have matched up there during the Giannis Antetokounmpo/Jayson Tatum era. Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks with 12.3 rebounds. Boston posted the second-best offensive rating, the second-best offensive rebounding percentage, and the fourth-most assists per game among all 16 teams in the first round. Play now! Off the bench, Gabe Vincent has shown signs of being a Celtics-killer, and ex-Celtic Max Strus three-point shooting has tormented his former team on several occasions. Right now, Milwaukee is better than Boston, and the health certainly helps. The Bucks are a 9-point favorite against the Celtics when the Bucks and the Celtics meet. See why the Deer should trample tonight in our NBA picks. He was most effective when guarding players 25-29 feet away from the rim where he held the Bucks to 33% shooting on 12 shots. In the first game, a Bucks 110-99 on Oct. 26, Steve Nash, then-head coach of the Nets, was ejected after arguing that Giannis Antetokounmpo should have been called for an . The Celtics are 24-11 in Eastern Conference play. Their most recent effort was a 119-109 effort against the Memphis Grizzlies that saw Derrick White lead the way with a team-high 23 points and 10 assists in 40 minutes of action. PLAY: Free, daily sports pickem contests and win prizes. The Bucks are at the 13th spot in the NBAs scoring charts (114.6 PPG), while the Celtics allow the sixth-fewest points per game (111.4) in the league. However, Milwaukee did not look like a middle-of-the-pack defensive team during the first round, as it recorded a stifling defensive rating of 94.4, nearly 10 full points better than any of the other 15 teams posted. The Celtics led by 12 points at one point in the third quarter, but the Bucks made . Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. They covered in convincing fashion in these two teams' prior matchup this year, winning 139-118 as -5.5 favorites. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Celtics push back on Giannis, Bucks 139-118; The Celtics are favored by 5.5 points at home. Theyll likely only be without Bobby Portis (knee) and Jae Crowder (recently traded). Jaylen Brown led the way with 36 points, and also had seven boards and three assists. The Milwaukee . Bucks without necessarily betting on the outcome of Tuesday's game itself.. DimersBOT has crunched the numbers to project key individual stats for each team, such as . The Boston Celtics were severely shorthanded in Tuesday night's road game against the Milwaukee Bucks and nearly pulled off an upset. The only matchup this season where both teams were mostly healthy was a 139-118 win for the Celtics at TD Garden on Christmas Day. Only 1.5 games separate the two teams at the top of the conference. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. . A Celtics-Cavs playoff series would be a long one, I think. Furthermore, the under is 6-1 in Bostons last seven road games and 5-1 in Milwaukees last six overall. The Celtics are also ninth in defensive efficiency. Giannis alone makes the Bucks the correct choice here. Obviously, the Heat would also be motivated to gain revenge after losing Game 7 to Boston at home last season. Id still take the Celtics over either team, but there will be plenty of challenges on the road back to the finals. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. This Celtics-Bucks showdown was supposed to be an anticipated clash of East contenders, but Boston's injury report is putting that in jeopardy. The Milwaukee Bucks are just a half-game behind the Boston Celtics for the best record in the NBA and Eastern Conference entering Monday. The only full-strength game happened to be the most lopsided effort of the four meetings a 117-103 Celtics win on Dec. 13. The Celtics have typically struggled against interior size, something the Cavs have an abundance of. Donovan Mitchell is having a fantastic season, and is a scary player in the clutch. I think the Cavs will be the next Eastern Conference team to win a championship after the Celtics, but it wont happen this year. In 18.8 minutes per game, hes averaged 15.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Brogdon, Right Achilles Soreness: PROBABLEBrown, Facial Fracture: OUTGallinari, Left Knee ACL Repair: OUTSmart, Right Ankle Sprain: OUTTatum, Illness: DOUBTFULGrant, Right Elbow Swelling: QUESTIONABLERob, Left Ankle Soreness: QUESTIONABLE, Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) February 13, 2023. The Bucks bring Jrue Holiday with either Wesley Matthews or the red-hot Grayson Allen, depending on the matchup. TD Garden will be rocking tonight. When Williams is catching his breath, Horford will get some burn guarding Antetokounmpo, which has been a frequent matchup whenever these two teams have met over the years. Barring injuries, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that they will match up in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bucks failed to cover as 2.5-point underdogs in a 118-100 loss at the Brooklyn Nets Friday. Bucks matchup on TNT and shares his pick and prediction for the game. The winner of this matchup could well decide the NBA champion, just as the Heat and Celtics did 11 years ago to conclude the 2011-12 lockout season. Oh, and they also still have maybe the best coach in basketball in Eric Spoelstra. Boston gave up the second-fewest points in the paint per game (42.5) this season, and Williams was the main reason why. 3) on a 36.9% success rate (No. The Boston Celtics are coming off of a big win against the Grizzlies, and on February 14, they have an even tougher opponent in the Bucks (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images). Donovan Mitchell is a big time playoff performer and gives them the late game scorer that can put a scare into any team and if Mobley decides the playoffs are the time to start taking a leap they could be trouble. He has led the team in scoring and rebounding in all but one game since his return, which includes two 50-point performances. . The model knows the Celtics take care of the ball on offense. White has been on a tear recently, scoring in double digits in each of his last 10 games played. During their 117-113 loss on Christmas, the Cs were missing Al Horford and Grant Williams. The total has hit the under in nine of Milwaukees last 12 games against the Atlantic Division. It makes every matchup down the stretch crucial for a Boston squad that is back home following a three-game road trip. The Celtics and Bucks meet up for a crucial East showdown on Tuesday in Milwaukee. As home favorites, theyve been even better, going 18-10 and covering in 64.3% of games. The latest rankings from NBA.com have the Bucks at one and the Celtics at two. Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico! ET . We break down Wednesday night's Celtics-Cavaliers matchup, . See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. The Bucks are 31-22-3 ATS, good for the second-best cover rate in the league at 58.5%. addPhoto("https://publish.nba.com/celtics/sites/celtics/files/180412horford_1.jpg", "Al Horford and Giannis Antetokounmpo box out for a rebound. The last time these two met, Williams had the second-best defensive rating on the team with a 105.5 rating, just .1 behind Derrick White for second place. Celtics3. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here. Boston is favored by Vegas, so lets take a look at the odds for this matchup of two of the top teams in basketball. The Boston Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of their second round Eastern Conference matchup! Tatum will join Jaylen Brown (facial fracture) and Marcus Smart (right ankle sprain) among the sidelined C's, while starting big men . The Celtics MVP candidate was tossed amidst his third rough shooting night in a row. Sign up for the Although the Celtics have gone 28-27-2 to the Under this season, they are the league's best Under team on the road at 18-8-1 (69.2%). Who should start for the Milwaukee Bucks against Boston Celtics. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Gambling problem? The Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics in a nationally televised showdown prior to the All-Star Break. In three matchups against the Celtics this season, Antetokounmpo averaged 28.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, which were all stellar marks, but also below his season averages in each category. The latter two are expected to play, but the expectation as of now is for Robert Williams to sit out Tuesday's contest. >> Download The Action Network App to get real-time NBA odds, track your bets and follow all of our experts picks. Nuggets4. If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. As great as the Celtics are this season, I dont see how they can keep up with those numbers in their current form. Please enter a valid email and try again. As previously mentioned, its obvious that Tatum is going to need to play his butt off against another MVP candidate with Brown being out, but if White and Williams continue to roll, as well as the other major pieces of the Boston Celtics rotation, they could very well end Milwaukees 10-game win streak and distance themselves in the standings even more. I dont see how any team in the Eastern Conference will beat either the Bucks or the Celtics in a seven-game series. Boston and Milwaukees evenness dates back several in their recent history. I asked the staff to give us the Celtics toughest matchup in the Eastern Conference. It will certainly be one of the biggest challenges of Horfords career, but he also knows that he won't be taking it on alone. Total Pro Sports. He finished with just 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in Milwaukees 14-point defeat, and only scored eight points when matched up against Horford on 36 possessions. Giannis has averaged a monstrous 37.3 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 59.8% from the field and even 34.3% from three on appreciable volume (3.5 attempts per game). The winner of this matchup could well decide the NBA . Meanwhile, it has been quite a turnaround for the Celtics as they rebounded from a poor start to the season and have oftentimes looked like the best team in basketball thanks to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and many others. Handling business against the Bucks will be difficult without their three best players. The Celtics will obviously go at the Bucks star with a rotating cast Grant Williams, Mr. Boston had just a slight scoring advantage in those four matchups, outscoring Milwaukee 473-460. In their loss to Cleveland they went with MarJon Beauchamp, and last game, they gave the start to Grayson Allen. The Bucks have totaled a total of 169 more points than their opponents this year (an average of 3.0 per game), and the Celtics have out-scored opponents by 350 points on the season (6.2 more per game). Trying to keep pace with a roster as deep as Milwaukee's, playing as well as its been for nearly a month now, is a lot to ask of the remaining bodies. PHILADELPHIA-The Philadelphia 76ers were playing well in a huge matchup with the Boston Celtics on Saturday night. Despite those absences, the C's still took the Bucks to overtime and lost 131-125. Per Kellan . Double Down, Ohio! Bostons squad is currently the fourth-ranked scoring team in the NBA (117.6 PPG), while Milwaukees team is seventh in points allowed per game (111.6). Ultimately, the final matchup between the teams on March 30 will be vitally important as it will most likely decide the number one seed. The Celtics are at a severe disadvantage today. Joe Dellera Odds via FanDuel. . Playing Game 7 at home was a huge lift for the Celtics when they eliminated the Bucks in Round 2 last year. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. They lack depth but their 2 big men are elite defensively and their backcourt is likely the best in the NBA. Sports Scores and Odds Hub Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onBoston Celtics and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. The Bucks are 31-22-3 ATS, good for the second-best cover rate in the league at . Boston averages only 13.5 turnovers per game while also generating 26.3 assists per contest. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. In a matchup with critical playoff implications as these teams fight to be the top seed in the East, is there a betting edge? So its pretty obvious that MVP candidate Jayson Tatum is going to need to play like the All-Star that he is, but another player who Im looking at to stay hot, is Derrick White. Home court advantage will be important for the Celtics and Bucks, too. In their last five meetings, the Celtics are 4-1 against Milwaukee (including playoffs). Meanwhile, the Cavs (39-25) have won eight of their past 11 games and look to . Game 1: Bucks 101, Celtics 89; Game 2: Celtics 109, Bucks 86 . December 25: Bucks pull off a comeback and win 117-113 . The Celtics and Bucks have been fairly even in the playoffs historically speaking with Boston holding a slight, 21-18 win-loss lead. Despite the Bucks' impressive win streak over the last couple weeks, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith would still pick the Celtics to beat them in a playoff series, even if Antetokounmpo averaged 40 points per game in that . The Bucks are on fire and most of their top players will be in the lineup tonight. In their time matched up, the Greek Freak scored 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting, with three of those misses coming from behind the arc. Though the Bucks will be without Khris Middleton as he battles a Grade 2 MCL sprain, they will still have Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and a solid supporting cast that took down the rivaling Chicago Bulls 4-1 in the first round. While I dont agree that Tatum is worth 5.5 points to the spread (I have him closer to 3.5), with Bostons other injuries, the collective impact is greater than the sum of its parts. Below is the complete schedule for the NBA Finals, with matchups, dates, game times and where to watch. 13). If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. This year, it's the Boston Celtics.. Last year's series was marred by injuries to James Harden and Kyrie Irving but lived up to the hype anyway, with Milwaukee winning Game 7 when Kevin Durant's shoe was one size too big. Jayson Tatum (non-COVID illness) is officially ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bucks, the team announced this afternoon. Robert Williams II was a big part of that and hes played just three games this year, after coming back from a knee injury on December 16. Heat (6th Seed)5.) Find a pick and prediction for Celtics vs. When it scores more than 111.6 points, Boston is 24-13-2 against the spread and 33-6 overall. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. The Best Defensive Teams in the NBA by DRTG: 1.) (Staff Roundtable). (How to attack must win matchup) The Celtics won the last matchup 139-118 on Dec. 25. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article. A 15-game winning streak by the Milwaukee Bucks has caused the Celtics to drop down to the No. In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Celtics picked up the 139-118 win over the Bucks. ", "Maddie Meyer/Getty Images ", "rob"); After sweeping the Brooklyn Nets out of the first round, the Boston Celtics are ready for Round 2. They really needed Khris Middleton back to improve the offense. Celtics vs Bucks Prediction: Bucks 119, Celtics 107, Celtics vs Bucks Picks: Bucks -9.5 (Best Value: -110 at FanDuel) & Under 226.5 Points Points (Best Value: -110 at FanDuel). Matthews seems the likely starter here, to match up with the wing size of the Celtics. Devon Platana Tue Feb 14 2023. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates after making a basket as teammate Al Horford (42) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) look on during the second half of an NBA . With that being said, there has to be one primary defender on the Greek Freak at all times, and that responsibility will fall likely fall on Horford whenever hes in the game. Boston is 2-5 in its last seven games while Milwaukee is 3-4 in its last seven outings. All 6 Teams are also Top 6 Teams in their Conference. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. A healthy version of this Bucks team is truly dominant. Bucks are for sure the answer here but if Im looking beyond them, I think the answer is the Cavs. Im also backing the total to go under 226.5 points tonight. Parlay Calculator, Copyright USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire 2023. Gambling problem? Knicks9. Boston already blew out Milwaukee 139-118 when the two sides met on Christmas Day, leaving time to tell if tonight's Celtics vs Bucks matchup unfolds in the same manner. Boston won a seven-game, first-round thriller in 2018, and Milwaukee exacted revenge the next spring with a 4-1 victory in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Both teams have been the best this season, and their peak play is the best of any other team. Suns10. Its a small sample size, which speaks to their health overall this season, but in 265 possessions, the Celtics have a -5.9 Point Differential and score just 107.9 points per 100 possessions, per Cleaning the Glass. Theyre also 15th and 16th in pace respectively, so I dont think this game will be up and down, I expect it to have the feel of a playoff game and be one of the best of the day. Theres a good chance Milwaukee will attempt to do the same against Tatum. The answer is probably the Bucks, but what about the other teams? Antetokounmpo has a good chance of continuing that success considering how he averaged 32.9 PTS/13.5 REB/6.3 AST in his last 10 games against the Celtics. The moneyline set for this matchup implies Milwaukee has a 79.7% chance of coming away with a victory in the contest. The Celtics have won two of those three series, including a seven-game conference semifinals matchup last season. The Boston Celtics are coming off of a big win against the Memphis Grizzlies. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. The two top teams in the Eastern Conference collide on Christmas day as the Boston Celtics (23-10, 18-14-1) and Milwaukee Bucks (22-10, 17-13-2) meet at TD Garden in their first matchup of the season. Adding in Holiday, a healthy Middleton, and an elite defense is just more fuel for the fire. Hes also had tremendous success in his three matchups versus the Bucks this season, posting 31.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. They've managed "just" the 10th-best offensive rating during this streak, but have kept the wins flowing behind stellar defense (third in defensive rating). However, he should benefit both from getting his feet wet in those two games and then having a full extra week to prepare for the second round. Physical, gets a crack but Tatum routinely shines in these celebrated matchups. The stage is set for an epic Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup between the No. The big man has been involved in some rumors surrounding his expiring contract, but during the time hes been balling with Boston. The total opened at 226 and much like the spread, the market is showing a wide range on the total as of the time of this writing. The Celtics are on fire, having won each of their last four games. By Tim Sheils 04/26/2022 2 Mins Read. Sports Betting Legality Map However, its a matchup that he knows well, so he already realizes whats in front of him.