The 2nd Boston Celtics (1-1) will face the 3rd Milwaukee Bucks (1-1) in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Playoffs Series on Saturday at the Fiserv Forum. The game is scheduled to start at 3:30 pm. ET (ABC). Examine the Celtics vs. Bucks odds and lines, and here’s what the NBA experts have chosen, predicted, and bet.
Boston bounced back from a double-digit Game 1 loss (101-89) to even the series with a 109-86 blowout victory in Game 2 Tuesday. The Celtics outperformed the Bucks in three of the “four factors” and made a franchise-playoff record of 20 3-pointers.
In this series, Celtics All-Star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have combined for 46.0 points on 44.9 percent shooting and 47.4 percent from 3-point range.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP of Milwaukee, has struggled to find his offensive flow in this game. Giannis’ effective field-goal shooting percentage is 39.4 percent (38.5 percent from the field and 16.7 percent behind the arc).
In their previous nine games with the Bucks, the Celtics are 8-1 against the spread (ATS). In those games, the Over/Under is 6-3.
Celtics at Bucks odds and lines
The odds are provided by OKBET Sportsbook for a complete list. Lines were last updated at Friday at 11:04 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Celtics +105 (bet 100 to win 105) | Bucks -130 (bet 130 to win 100)
- Against the spread: Celtics +1.5 (-107) | Bucks -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 212.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Celtics at Bucks key injuries
Celtics
- PG Marcus Smart (thigh) probable
Bucks
- PG George Hill (abdominal) probable
- SF Khris Middleton (knee) out
Celtics at Bucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 111, Celtics 106
Money line
GIMME the BUCKS (-130).
The Celtics are shockingly awful in close games, yet they normally react well to defeats.
Milwaukee has the second-best winning percentage after defeats since the start of last season, at 118-66 SU with a plus-4.8 margin of victory — the Phoenix Suns are top, at 135-49 with a plus-6.3 margin.
During the regular season, Boston was 13-22 SU in the “clutch,” with a minus-9.5 net rating (ranked 26th). Clutch games are those that are decided by a 5-point margin in the last five minutes of play.
On the other hand, the Bucks are 24-17 SU in the “clutch” with a plus-15.9 net rating, good for second in the NBA during the regular season.
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The difference in tight-game performance between the two teams is attributable to Milwaukee’s third-ranked eFG percent in the “clutch” vs. Boston’s 24th-ranked eFG percent. One significant reason for this is because the Celtics depend on reliable iso-ball down the stretch with Tatum and Brown.
Furthermore, now that the game is in Milwaukee, Boston’s supporting players should calm down, and the Bucks should get more out of their secondary players like C Brook Lopez, C Bobby Portis, and SG Wesley Matthews.
Game 3 Milwaukee Bucks (-130) is my pick to win Game 3 because of their defense, late-game performance, and home-court advantage.
Against the spread
PASS since Milwaukee’s ML is just 15 cents more costly than the Bucks -1.5. (-115). So there’s no need to worry about a cover here, but if late money comes in on the Bucks, I will wager Milwaukee up to -3.
See also: The Atlanta Hawks have been pushed to chase a $136 million free-agent All-Star scorer.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 212.5 (-110).
The first two games in the series averaged 24.5 points below the total. This indicates that Celtics Bucks is ready for over.
Furthermore, the Over has won 7 of the previous 10 head-to-head meetings, Boston is 11-8-1 O/U as a road underdog with a plus-5.4 total margin, and Milwaukee is 21-19 O/U as a home favorite.
Furthermore, the Over has won 7 of the previous 10 head-to-head meetings, Boston is 11-8-1 O/U as a road underdog with a plus-5.4 total margin, and Milwaukee is 21-19 O/U as a home favorite.
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