The Boston Celtics (2-2) will be at home in TD Garden when they square off with the Milwaukee Bucks (2-2) in game five of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Boston is a 2.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 204.5 points. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics Odds Preview
In game four, these two teams combined for 206 points, just over the projected point total of 203. The Bucks won 104-102, but were unable to cover as 6-point favorites. Milwaukee’s effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Boston. The Bucks had a rate of 0.589 while the Celtics posted a mark of 0.471. Despite the loss, Brown was the game’s leading scorer with 34 points.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Boston ranks 23rd in possessions per game (98.0) and Milwaukee is 24th (97.9).
Of Milwaukee’s 86 games, 50 have finished over the O/U total, while 46 of Boston’s 86 games have finished over the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Celtics have a significant advantage. They are 57-29 SU and 51-31-4 ATS, while the Bucks are 46-40 SU and 36-45-5 ATS.
Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics Prediction
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
The Bucks rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.0) while the Celtics rank 23rd (15.3).
Milwaukee ranks fourth in blocks per game (5.6) while Boston ranks 19th (4.5).
Milwaukee ranks sixth in fast break points per game (14.6) while Boston ranks 26th (9.6).
Boston ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (21.4) while Milwaukee ranks 16th (23.5).
On the road, Milwaukee is 22-19-2 ATS with 26 overs, 16 unders and 1 push.
Boston is 22-17-4 ATS at home with 25 overs and 18 unders.
Boston is 36-5 when they allow under 100 points, while Milwaukee is 18-5.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Bucks are 40-22 and the Celtics are 44-14.
The Bucks rank third in steals per game (8.7) while the Celtics rank 22nd (7.3).
Milwaukee ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (47.5) while Boston ranks 29th (40.0).
The Celtics rank third in second chance points allowed per game (10.9) while the Bucks rank 24th (13.4).
The Celtics rank 10th in three pointers attempted per game (30.3) while the Bucks rank 25th (24.6).
Boston ranks ninth in rebounds per game (44.4) while Milwaukee ranks last (39.8).
Bettings Trends:
Boston is 4-1 ATS with 5 overs in their last five games.
Over their last five games, Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS with 5 overs.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 3.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 105.6 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.4 points per game (4.6 above their season average).