The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks meet Thursday in NBA action at the Fiserv Forum. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 118 points on 47.5 percent shooting and allowing 112 points on 46.5 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum is averaging 30.1 points and 8.9 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown is averaging 26.8 points and 3.4 assists. Malcolm Brogdon is the third double-digit scorer and Derrick White is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 37.6 percent from beyond the arc and 81.5 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 34.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
The Milwaukee Bucks are averaging 116.8 points on 47.1 percent shooting and allowing 112.4 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.1 points and 11.7 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday is averaging 18.9 points and 5 rebounds. Brook Lopez is the third double-digit scorer and Khris Middleton is grabbing 4.4 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks are shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and 74.4 percent from the free throw line. The Milwaukee Bucks are allowing 34.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 48.9 rebounds per game.
The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games. The Bucks are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games playing on 0 days rest and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games. The over is 9-4 in Celtics last 13 overall. The over is 19-9 in Bucks last 28 home games. The Celtics are 18-7-1 ATS in the last 26 meetings in Milwaukee and 34-16-1 ATS in the last 51 meetings.
The Milwaukee Bucks should be the favorite as they’ve been the better team, and they’re at home. However, the Bucks are on the end of a back to back and that gives the Celtics a clear edge in the underdog role. The Celtics are too good to turn down in the underdog role, especially with the rest advantage. The Celtics are winning their last 5 games by an average of 14.4 points while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. Give me the Celtics and free bucket.