The Boston Celtics will attempt to even up the best-of-seven series as they face the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 on Monday. It's time to continue our NBA odds coverage with a Celtics-Bucks Game 4 prediction and pick.

The Bucks edged out the Celtics 103-101 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 42 points, including the go-ahead bucket with 44.3 seconds left to lead the way. The Celtics had a chance to tie the game at the end after a mad scramble.

However, the plan did not go well.

 

Marcus Smart was at the free-throw line with the Celtics down by three and hit the first shot. Then, he intentionally missed the second to generate a rebound attempt. Smart grabbed his rebound and flung it at the basket, but it missed, and Robert Williams got the rebound. Next, he took his shot and clanked it off the glass, where it went to Al Horford. He missed his shot, then grabbed the rebound and attempted another put-in. However, it went in right after the clock expired.

Jayson Tatum struggled in Game 3, as he managed only 10 points while shooting 4-for-19 and missing all six 3-point shots. Conversely, Jaylen Brown played well with 27 points while pulling down 12 rebounds. Horford also had 16 rebounds to pace the Celtics.

Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday scored 25 points but took 30 shots to get there. The Milwaukee bench managed only 20 points. 

Game 3 was another physical affair, and the stakes will only get higher in Game 4.

Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Celtics-Bucks Game 4 odds.

NBA Odds: Celtics-Bucks Game 4 Odds

Celtics: +1 (-112)

Bucks: -1 (-108)

Over: 211.5 (-110)

Under: 211.5 (-110)

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Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread

Boston is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and it still holds in the playoffs. Now, they must make the final stop when they need it to seal the game. The Celtics held the Bucks to 40.9 percent shooting from the field and 26.5 percent from beyond the arc. However, Boston did not get enough boards as the Bucks won the rebounding battle, 53-47.

Antetokounmpo also dominated the Celtics in every fashion imaginable. After holding him to 11-for-27 shooting in Game 2, the Celtics could not replicate the effort in Game 3 despite slowing down everybody else. Boston blocked 13 shots and only gave up 103 points even with Giannis going for 42, but the visitors must do a better job of slowing down The Greek Freak in transition.

The shooting must also improve after the Celtics shot 36.8 percent from the field in Game 3. Boston needs Tatum to play much better in Game 4 to have a legitimate chance of winning this game. He is their rock and the star who makes them go, so the Celtics need their best player to shine.

The Celtics will cover the spread if they can win the board battle. Additionally, stopping, or at least containing, Antetokounmpo is a must. Boston must find better scoring opportunities and give Tatum a chance to dominate. If these things happen, the Celtics will head back home tied.

Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread

Milwaukee has one of the best players in the world in Antetokounmpo, if not the best. Additionally, they have Holiday, who has done an admirable job filling in the scoring hole left by the injury to Khris Middleton. The Bucks are a great all-around team and are the defending NBA champions because of their ability to improvise. They now hope to take a commanding series lead and will need to win the battle on the boards again.

The Bucks could stand to do better from beyond the arc after shooting just 9-of-34 from 3-point land in Game 3. Additionally, Milwaukee must get better production from its bench. Better game control would be welcome, as the Bucks blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee must do better to protect large leads and not give Boston the momentum or signs of life to come back.

The Bucks will cover the spread if Antetokounmpo dominates, Holiday contributes, and the bench improves. Also, Milwaukee covers if the bench gives them more than the 20 points it gave on Saturday. Finally, if the Bucks can hit more 3-pointers, then it will be the catalyst to give them a 3-1 series edge heading to Boston.

Final Celtics-Bucks Game 4 Prediction & Pick

Have you seen the spread? It is razor-thin! It means that the oddsmakers believe it will go down to the wire, just like the last game. The Celtics gave the Bucks a scare in Game 3 and almost stole the game, despite their best player struggling. Boston has the talent and the ability to steal this one on the road. Will they? Expect Jayson Tatum to bounce back and for the Celtics to snag a win in Milwaukee, sending the series back home tied at two. Take the straight pick for the better value since the line is only one.

Final Celtics-Bucks Game 4 Prediction & Pick: Celtics Moneyline (-104)