The Boston Celtics visit the Milwaukee Bucks for a nationally televised matchup on Wednesday. Boston won the first meeting between the two teams this season, prevailing by a one-point margin on Dec. 23. Milwaukee enters on a seven-game winning streak and with a sparkling 17-5 home record in 2020-21. The Bucks list Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Bryn Forbes (toe) as questionable for the game, with PJ Tucker (ankle) listed as probable. Romeo Langford (protocols) and Tristan Thompson (protocols) are out for Boston.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET in Milwaukee. William Hill Sportsbook lists the Bucks as six-point home favorites, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 230 in the latest Celtics vs. Bucks odds. Before you make any Bucks vs. Celtics picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it has returned more than $9,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up almost $1,200 on its top-rated picks this season, and dating back to last year, it enters Week 14 of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on a stunning 91-53 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Bucks vs. Celtics. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Celtics vs. Bucks:
- Celtics vs. Bucks spread: Bucks -6
- Celtics vs. Bucks over-under: 230 points
- Celtics vs. Bucks money line: Boston +205, Milwaukee -245
- BOS: The Celtics are 3-7 against the spread in the last 10 games
- MIL: The Bucks are 4-6 against the spread in the last 10 games
Featured Game | Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics
Why the Celtics can cover
Boston has strengths on both ends of the floor, with the talent and pedigree to be a threat. The Celtics are an above-average offensive team, scoring 1.13 points per possessions, and Boston is also above the NBA baseline in effective field goal percentage at 54.1 percent. Brad Stevens’ team is uber-elite in offensive rebounding, securing 29.8 percent of their own missed shots, and the Celtics also play freely against a Bucks team that ranks second-worst in the NBA in turnover creation rate (12.5 percent).
On defense, the Celtics are above-average in creating havoc, forcing a turnover on 14.2 percent of their defensive possessions. Boston is also a top-10 team in transition defense, allowing only 11.5 fast break points per game, and the Celtics rank near the top of the league in protecting the rim, allowing only 45.7 points per game in the paint.
Why the Bucks can cover
Even if Antetokounmpo is unavailable to play after being listed as questionable, the Bucks have plenty of firepower. Khris Middleton leads the way offensively, averaging 20.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game with elite shooting efficiency. Milwaukee is a top-flight offensive team, scoring almost 1.17 points per possession for the season, and the Bucks are facing a Celtics team with some defensive weaknesses.
Boston is just 22nd in the NBA in overall defensive rating this season, and the Celtics are 27th in the league in free throw prevention as a team. Milwaukee is also a top-10 defensive team. The Bucks lead the NBA in free throw prevention defensively, with other strengths, including the No. 1 mark in the league in transition defense.
How to make Celtics vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 224 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 70 percent of the time. You can get that pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Bucks vs. Celtics? And which side of the spread hits almost 70 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that on a roll on NBA picks.