The Milwaukee Bucks will stand up to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Elimination rounds on Sunday at TD Plant. The amusement is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET (ABC). We see at the Bucks versus Celtics chances and lines and allow our ace NBA choices, figures, and bets underneath.
The Bucks advance to the second round after upsetting the No. 6-seeded Chicago Bulls in five games. Milwaukee covered the previous three, but failed to cover the first two as double-digit favorites at home.
Unfortunately for Milwaukee, its second-leading scorer, G Khris Middleton, will be absent. He only averaged 14.5 points per game versus Chicago, but he has been an important part of the Bucks this season.
Boston, on the other hand, swept the F Brooklyn Nets, headed by Kevin Durant. F Jayson Tatum became an all-star on the national stage, averaging 29.5 points per game.
The Celtics were 3-1 against the spread (ATS) against the Nets, despite being underdogs in both of their absent recreations. They’ve won seven of their past eight diversions. Boston features a season ATS record of 48-37-1.
Bucks vs. Celtics odds and lines
The odds are provided by OKBET Sportsbook for a complete list. Lines were last updated at 1:44 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bucks +155 (bet 100 to win 155) | Celtics -190 (bet 190 to win 100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bucks +4.5 (-108) | Celtics -4.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Game 1 Bucks vs. Celtics key injuries
Bucks
- G Khris Middleton (knee) out
Celtics
- None
Bucks vs. Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 108, Bucks 103
Money line
PASS.
I favor the Celtics at home, particularly with the Bucks in town. However, at -190, I would not recommend betting on them to win outright.
Read more: If Jimmy Butler plays the bad guy, Tobias Harris has a chance to play the hero.
Against the spread
LEAN to the CELTICS -4.5 (-108).
This is a minor role, assuming one exists at all. I appreciate the Celtics’ size, especially with C Robert Williams.
Milwaukee will be a significantly more challenging opponent defensively, having finished the first round with the league’s highest defensive rating. The Bulls struggled offensively, failing to score 100 points in three of the five games.
That’s where the Celtics, led by two true stars in Tatum and F Jaylen Brown, could stand out, particularly without Middleton, a defensive guru.
With a 4-9 ATS record as road underdogs, the Bucks were the third-worst club in the NBA.
Without Middleton, I believe they fall short, but it’s just by a fraction of a unit, since this is a pretty wide margin between two good teams. It’s going to be a fantastic game and series.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 217.5 (-112).
These clubs combined for a 1-8 O/U record in the first round. That pattern should continue, particularly considering Milwaukee’s defensive length.
They’ll most likely place G Jrue Holiday, who has been nominated to three All-Defensive teams, on Brown and give Tatum to 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That will be difficult for the Boston stars to cope with, and I anticipate them to struggle to score. In addition, C Al Horford fired 60% from deep in the first round. Those performances are unlikely to be replicated.
The Bucks had the most outstanding defensive rating in the first round, while the Celtics had the best overall. When you combine that with the first-round trends, I think the Under is the best choice.
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