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The Boston Celtics face off against the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time this season on Wednesday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Celtics-Bucks prediction and pick.
The Celtics currently hold a record of 21-22 overall and 19-24 against the spread. Boston is coming off an overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Bucks stand at 28-14 but are 20-22 against the spread. Milwaukee is coming off a blowout win over the Indiana Pacers, which they won without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Celtics-Bucks odds.
NBA Odds: Celtics vs. Bucks Odds
Boston Celtics +6 (-108)
Milwaukee Bucks -6 (-112)
Over 230 Points (-110)
Under 230 Points (-110)
Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread
After missing both Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum in their loss to the Grizzlies on Monday, the Celtics should have both stars return in this one. Neither are listed on the injury report.
This is an essential boost for a Boston team that needs all hands on deck on the offensive end against a Bucks team that has been blitzing opponents off the floor.
For a team with so much offensive talent, the Celtics have been oddly inconsistent. Boston will need at least two of its stars to have big offensive nights to hang around with Milwaukee. On the defensive end, the focus will be on the 3-point line.
Milwaukee shoots 39.1% from deep, fourth-highest in the league. The Celtics have the personnel to slow this Bucks attack.
Nearly everyone on this Boston roster is capable of sticking with wings, and Boston should be able to at least slow Milwaukee's red-hot shooting.
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Boston could be helped out depending on the status of Giannis, who is currently questionable to play. Without Giannis creating open looks, the Celtics would have an even better chance of limiting the 3-point damage.
Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread
The Bucks have won seven straight now, storming through the Eastern Conference with ease after a sluggish start.
The Bucks' most impressive performance was possibly against the Pacers. They decimated a decent Indiana team without their best player in Giannis. Milwaukee dropped 48 on the Pacers in the first quarter and finished with a whopping 140 points.
Since the All-Star break, the Bucks have been unstoppable offensively. Over six games, they're averaging 126.8 points per contest, including three games where they topped 130 points.
Milwaukee's offense is just a buzz saw right now, and anyone that gets in the way is getting torn apart. Considering Boston hasn't been particularly effective on the defensive end this year, the Celtics are in line to be the Bucks' next victim.
Boston has been a middle-tier defensive team all year, and we saw what happened the last time the Bucks faced a middle-tier defensive team in the Pacers.
The Celtics are 15th in the league in opponent field goal percentage, points allowed, and opponent 3-point percentage. It's unlikely they completely shut down an offense that is firing on all cylinders.
Final Celtics-Bucks Prediction & Pick
For the Celtics to win this game, they need everything to break their way. For the Bucks to win this game, they just need to keep doing what they've been doing. I don't see this Bucks offense being slowed significantly, and the Celtics have been frustratingly shaky. I'm assuming Giannis will play in this key matchup, and the line could swell to as high as -7.5. I'll take the Bucks spread now, as I think they have a good shot at covering even without Giannis.
FINAL CELTICS-BUCKS PREDICTION & PICK: MILWAUKEE BUCKS -6
