The Boston Celtics (52-24) will square off against the Milwaukee Bucks (55-21) on Thursday at Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Bucks odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Celtics lost 130-111 to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday despite being 10.5-point road favorites. Boston is 3 games behind Milwaukee for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Bucks covered as 12.5-point road favorites Wednesday in a 149-136 win over the Indiana Pacers. Milwaukee has won 5 of its last 6 games.
The Celtics and the Bucks have split 2 games this season, each winning at home. Boston won 139-118 as a 4-point favorite on Dec. 25 while Milwaukee failed to cover a 9.5-point spread on Feb. 14, winning 131-125 in overtime. The Over 226.5 cashed in both games.
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Celtics at Bucks odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Bucks -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics +2.5 (-115) | Bucks -2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 236.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Celtics at Bucks key injuries
Celtics
- C Robert Williams III (knee) questionable
- F Grant Williams (illness) questionable
Bucks
- Not yet submitted
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Bucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 122, Celtics 116
Moneyline
If you’re able to get the BUCKS (-145) at the current odds or better, then there’s some value in taking their moneyline. But if they are available at -155 odds or worse, then taking Milwaukee isn’t worth the risk.
Against the spread
BUCKS -2.5 (-105) is the pick in this highly-anticipated contest between 2 of the top teams in the NBA. Assuming Milwaukee plays some combo of F Giannis Antetokounmpo and/or G Jrue Holiday and F Khris Middleton, then it should be able to take care of business at home.
The Bucks are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games playing on 0 days of rest.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 236.5 (-110).
This is a crucial game in the Eastern Conference playoff race and both teams have talented scorers on the court. Both teams are top 13 in offensive rating and this is a pace-up game for Boston.
The Celtics have hit the Over in 4 straight road games and the Over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings when the Bucks are the home team.
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