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The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics will play in an Eastern Conference matchup on Friday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Bucks-Celtics prediction and pick.
The Bucks and Celtics each come into play on Friday missing key contributors. Milwaukee is still without Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, while the Celtics are without Jaylen Brown. Neither of these teams has hit their stride yet this season, as the Bucks are 6-6 while the Celtics are 5-6. The Bucks are 5-2 on the road this season, and will look to boost that road record in Boston on Friday. The Celtics, a home underdog on Friday, will look to make it two straight wins at home after beating the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
Here's how bookmakers have set the Bucks-Celtics odds for this Friday night matchup.
NBA Odds: Bucks-Celtics Odds
Milwaukee Bucks -1.5 (-110)
Boston Celtics +1.5 (-11o)
Over 211.5 points (-110)
Under 211.5 points (-110)
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Why The Bucks Can Cover The Spread
The Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo listed as probable on Friday, so assuming he's ready to go they will have a great shot to cover and win on Friday. While still being down a couple of starters, the Bucks have not found the rhythm that made them NBA Champions last season. Milwaukee ranks just 16th in the NBA in net rating so far in 2021-22, making them just an average team through 12 games. While this is not ideal, there's still time for the Bucks to figure things out as they get healthier. The Bucks could be a good bet on Friday as the Celtics are just 1-3 at home this season while Milwaukee is 5-2 on the road.
Why The Celtics Can Cover The Spread
The Celtics lost their first three home games, but finally got into the win column on their home floor Wednesday vs. the Raptors. It has been a tumultuous start to the season for Boston and new head coach Ime Udoka, and their chemistry as a group is still a work in progress to say the least. The Celtics rank 18th in the NBA in net rating, mostly due to their struggles offensively. Boston is scoring just 104.6 points per 100 possessions, ranking 23rd in offensive efficiency. Their defense has actually been pretty good, as the Celtics rank 10th in defensive rating allowing 104.8 points per 100 possessions.
If the Celtics want to cover and win on Friday, they will have to find more offense. Despite the Bucks injuries, they are still a capable group that likes to push the pace. Boston has been a middling half-court offense, and they rank just 23rd in the NBA in true-shooting percentage so far this season.
Final Bucks-Celtics Prediction & Pick
Take the Bucks to handle their business tonight with a win and cover over the Celtics.
FINAL BUCKS-CELTICS PREDICTION & PICK: Bucks -1.5 (-110)
