The Boston Celtics (43-21) will take on the Milwaukee Bucks (53-12) Friday at the HP Field House in Orlando, Fla., for a 6:30 p.m. ET tip-off (on ESPN). We analyze the Celtics-Bucks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Celtics vs. Bucks: Key injuries
Bucks
- PG Eric Bledsoe (conditioning) out
- SG Pat Connaughton (conditioning) out
- G Frank Mason (back) probable
- PF Marvin Williams (groin) doubtful
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Celtics vs. Bucks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:40 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Bucks 115, Celtics 110
Moneyline (ML)
The Bucks (-209) open their first game of the NBA restart as big favorites. While it’s tough to make too many conclusions based on what happened months ago, the Bucks are just a bad matchup for the Celtics. Milwaukee has won five of its last six games against Boston, but will be without starting guard Eric Bledsoe. If you are going to bet on the moneyline here, take the Bucks. However, the better value will be on the point spread.
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Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The BUCKS are 5-point favorites (-110), which feels about right considering this will be the first game for each team in four months. While the Bucks struggled against the spread in their last five games (1-4 ATS) before the season was suspended, that was during a time period when SF Giannis Antetokounmpo was injured. He’s healthy now and Boston doesn’t have anyone who can match up with him in this contest. Milwaukee is the far better team here and should have no problem covering. TAKE THE BUCKS -5 (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
The O/U total is 218.5 with both sides at -110 odds, but that feels low considering how dominant each offense has been this season. Both the Bucks and the Celtics rank in the top 11 scoring averages with Milwaukee leading the league at 118.6 PPG – Boston averages 113.0 PPG. Expect the first game back to be a tad sloppy, but for the OVER 218.5 to ultimately hit.
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