The two squads split the regular season series, with both winning once at home and once on the road. The playoff scenario is different though, and will favor the Celtics who have a better coach and home-court advantage.
Going into Round 1, Milwaukee is just 7-14 against the spread (ATS) and straight up (SU) in their last 21 against teams with a winning record. Boston is coming into this game going 24-14 ATS against teams above the .500 mark. Another interesting note, is that the Celtics also boast a 31-12 SU record against teams that have allowed 106 points per game or greater. Milwaukee has allowed 106.8. Register here to make your pick.
Betting Preview for the Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics NBA Eastern Conference Round 1 Game 1 on April 15, 2018
Where: TD Garden
When: Sunday, April 15, 2018, 1:00 PM EST
Line: Milwaukee Bucks (spread) vs Boston Celtics (spread) – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Milwaukee Bucks (+4)
The Bucks showed signs of life in the back half of the regular season, coming into mid-February with a respectable 32-24 record, winning nine of 11. But since February 13, they went just 12-14. Going into the playoffs, Milwaukee simply seems to be without team chemistry. Eric Bledsoe and Giannis Antetokounmpo are just…off. The latter (Antetokounmpo) averaged just 19.0 points per game this month, which is significantly down from the 27.5 he averaged in March. Look for that Celtics defense to clamp down on him and force the other Bucks to step up and play.
The good news for Milwaukee is that this Celtics team is a young one, with very little playoff experience amongst them. Will Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum answer the call to play big minutes when they have no experience in doing so? If the Celtics stars (Irving) were playing, the Celtics odds here against the Bucks wouldn’t be in question, but with the opponent short-staffed, you’d better believe that Milwaukee believes they can win this coin toss of a series. And sometimes that belief is enough.
Betting on the Boston Celtics (-4)
While the Celtics chances here were questioned above, they should take Game 1. For one, they have better defense and the home-court advantage. The Bucks were just 19-22 on the road this season while the Celtics were 27-14 at home. They allowed just 100.4 points per game this season and almost the same with a 100.7 at home. Both stats ranked third in the NBA. Sure, injury concerns are the talk of Beantown, but these are connected to offense, and not the big D.
Writer’s Prediction
The Celtics cover for the win, 104-99.
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