The Boston Celtics (50-30) and Milwaukee Bucks (49-30), jockeying for positioning in the Eastern Conference standings, play a pivotal game Thursday that could decide where each ends up in the playoff picture. Tip-off from Fiserv Forum will be at 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Celtics vs. Bucks and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Celtics have won their last three games, making a strong push for the No. 2 seed in the East – which they hold with a half-game lead over the Bucks. Boston is 8-2 in the last 10 games, tied for the best record in that stretch. Granted, the Celtics have been favored by at least 8 points in each of their last three, so their opponents haven’t exactly been the toughest. The Bucks pose a major challenge Thursday, though.
Milwaukee was tripped up by the Clippers Friday and Mavericks Sunday, losing to both teams despite being favored. The Bucks bounced back by crushing the Bulls 127-106 Wednesday, easily covering the 6.5-point spread. They’ll have two regular-season games left after this one against the Celtics, visiting the Pistons Friday and the Cavs Sunday.
Celtics at Bucks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Celtics +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Bucks -380 (bet $380 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics +7.5 (-107) | Bucks -7.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Celtics at Bucks key injuries
Celtics
- C Al Horford (back) out
- PG Marcus Smart (ankle) probable
- SF Jayson Tatum (knee) out
- C Robert Williams III (knee) out
Bucks
- SG Grayson Allen (hip) doubtful
- PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) probable
[tipico]
Celtics at Bucks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 116, Celtics 108
Money line
Even as important as this game is for both teams, the Celtics have a half-game lead over the Bucks and 76ers with one game fewer to play. Sure, they could drop to the No. 4 seed with a loss and a 76ers win, but it’s not the end of the world.
I like the Bucks to win outright at home, knowing the Celtics could opt to rest some of their top players on the second night of a back-to-back. But at -290, I’m going to PASS.
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Against the spread
Going back to the fact that the Celtics could rest some starters as the season winds down, I’m on the BUCKS -7.5 (-115). Even though the Celtics are playing better right now and looked dominant against their win over the Bulls Wednesday, fatigue could set in.
The Bucks are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 and I think they’ll cover again here.
Over/Under
The winning team has scored at least 116 points in each of the last 10 meetings and the Over is 7-3 in those games. But with the threat of rest, I’m taking the UNDER 226.5 (-112) with the line set higher than usual for a matchup between the Bucks and Celtics.
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