The Boston Celtics will play the Milwaukee Bucks in an Eastern Conference matchup on Christmas Day. It's time continue our NBA odds series with a Celtics-Bucks prediction and pick.

The Celtics and Bucks will play on Christmas Day. Boston may be quite shorthanded as they still have quite a few players in health and safety protocols. Giannis Antetokounmpo is now out of protocols for the Bucks, and is questionable to suit up in this one pending as of Christmas Eve. The Bucks are 6-4 in their last ten games despite missing their MVP for a chunk of that time. The Celtics are 4-6 in their last ten as they navigate their Covid outbreak. Milwaukee comes in as home favorites over Boston in this one.

Here is how FanDuel has set the Celtics-Bucks odds for this Christmas Day matchup.

NBA Odds: Celtics-Bucks Odds

Boston Celtics +4.5 (-110)

Milwaukee Bucks -4.5 (-110)

Over 220 (-110)

Under 220 (-110)

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Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread

Boston will face an uphill battle in this one with a decent chunk of their rotation still in protocols. Al Horford is the most notable absence for this matchup, as his size and defensive acumen would been of great use vs. Antetokounmpo inside. Enes Kanter Freedom, Sam Hauser, Juan Hernangomez, Jabari Parker, Josh Richardson, Brodric Thomas and Grant Williams are also still in health and safety protocols as of Christmas Eve. The Celtics are looking a little thin on the frontline heading to this matchup vs. one of the best, if not the best bigs in the NBA.

This could be an uphill battle if Antetokounmpo indeed suits up. The Celtics have their perimeter stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown along with ball-handlers Dennis Schroder and Marcus Smart. They could hang around in this one but if they don't get Horford, Kanter Freedom or Williams back out of protocols matching up with the Bucks' size could prove to be an uphill battle. Boston sits at 16-16 as the No. 8 seed in the East entering play on Christmas.

Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread

The Bucks should be in good shape here as long as Antetokounmpo suits up. They are still missing Donte DiVincenzo and Bobby Portis due to both being in the NBA's health and safety protocols. Brook Lopez also remains out with an injury. Milwaukee should have the best player on the floor suited up and ready to go in this one, as Antetokounmpo has cleared virus protocol and just needs to go through some on-court tests before getting the green light.

The Bucks have been the far better team this season when their big 3 of Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton suits up. Milwaukee could be in a good position to cover and win this one vs. the undermanned Celtics. The Bucks are 21-13 this season despite battling injuries, and sit as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Final Celtics-Bucks Prediction and Pick

Take the Bucks to win and cover on Christmas vs. the Celtics. Boston is looking like they will be pretty shorthanded inside, so the Bucks could look to beat up on them in the paint. Holiday and Middleton should be able to do enough on the perimeter to neutralize Tatum and Brown while Antetokounmpo goes to work on the Celtics' thin front line.

Final Celtics-Bucks Prediction & Pick: Bucks -4.5 (-110)