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The Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics will give us the best two words in sports: Game 7. Milwaukee and Boston will square off Sunday afternoon for the right to face the no. 1 seeded Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our NBA odds series, which includes our Bucks-Celtics prediction, odds, and pick we have laid out below.
The Celtics went to Milwaukee and took it to the defending champs to force a Game 7 with an emphatic 108-95 win. Jayson Tatum put on a masterclass performance with 46 points on 17-of-32 shooting to go along with seven 3-pointers. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart also had strong scoring nights with 22 points and 21 points, respectively. The Bucks failed to capitalize on another huge outing from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who poured in 44 points and 20 rebounds of his own. Jrue Holiday added 17 points, while Pat Connaughton provided a solid spark off the bench with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Here are the Bucks-Celtics Game 7 NBA Playoffs odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Playoffs Odds: Bucks-Celtics Odds
Milwaukee Bucks: +5 (-112)
Boston Celtics: -5 (-108)
Over: 208 (-110)
Under: 208 (-110)
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Why the Bucks could cover the spread
They're the defending champs. It's win or go home for them on Sunday. You'd have to imagine Milwaukee is going to pour all they have for Game 7. Their title is on the line.
Digging deeper into the series, Milwaukee has had Boston's number at TD Garden in this series so far. So, even if they're at a disadvantage on the road, the Bucks know what it takes to win in Boston. In addition, Milwaukee won Game 7 versus the Brooklyn Nets on the road. These Bucks are battle-tested and have experienced what it is like to face a raucous Game 7 atmosphere.
The Bucks have taken advantage of Celtics big man Robert Williams' absence. Williams has missed the past three outings with a bone bruise in his left knee after a collision with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 3. Without the 24-year-old in the middle, the Bucks have outrebounded the Celtics by an average of 10 rebounds in the last three games. That was not the case from Games 1 to 3, as Milwaukee just had 144-135 edge on the glass in total.
Though the Celtics have won two of the last three games, teams who win the rebounding battle typically come out on top. If Time Lord remains unable to go, the Bucks can once again take advantage of this.
Regardless, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been playing at “best player in the world” levels this entire postseason. He's almost at the point where he can carry a team on his own if he wants. The Bucks showcased championship form in Game 5 with a gutsy comeback down the stretch. If they are able to channel that resolve, it's going to be hard to count them out.
Why the Celtics could cover the spread
Despite having lost two of their three home games this series, TD Garden is still one of the best home courts in the NBA. Boston went 28-13 at home during the regular season. The Celtics faithful will definitely bring the energy that Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and company need to advance to their fourth Eastern Conference Finals in six years.
Boston has done a tremendous job in defending the three-ball against the Bucks. The Celtics finished no. 1 in opposing three-point percentage in the regular season (33.9 percent). And that has translated into this East semi-finals series so far as Boston has held the reigning champs to just 31.0 percent three-point shooting in six games.
Jayson Tatum played perhaps the best game of his career on Friday, as his performance essentially saved the Celtics' season. He should enter Sunday with a ton of confidence after dropping a playoff career-best 46 points.
Al Horford has turned back the clock this series, but struggled the last two games after dropping a playoff career-high 30 points in Game 4. If he gets his offensive game back on track, the Celtics have a good chance to dethrone the defending NBA champs.
As mentioned earlier, Robert Williams has missed the last three games for Boston. The big man is still dealing with a bone bruise and knee soreness. There's still a chance he gives it a go in a must-win situation on Sunday. If he is able to play, he should help shore up Boston's rebounding woes.
Final Bucks-Celtics prediction and pick
This series deservedly went the distance and in a Game 7, it's always tough to predict a winner. But I believe the Bucks will be a tough obstacle for the Celtics to overcome. The Bucks escaped by the skin of their teeth against the Nets on the road last season, and I think that will repeat itself this year.
Final Bucks-Celtics Prediction & Pick: Bucks: +5 (-110)
