The Milwaukee Bucks (21-13, 15-19 ATS) host the Boston Celtics (16-16, 16-15-1) at Fiserv Forum in the NBA’s second game on Christmas Day. The Bucks will look to extend their win streak to three games while the Celtics are 2-1 in their last three outings.
- Date/Time: December 25, 2:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Fiserv Forum
- TV Coverage: ESPN, ABC
- Sportsbook Odds: Bucks -7 | O/U 234.5 points (Line History)
- Celtics vs Bucks (Matchup Report)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Bucks opened as big 7-point favorites at home with the total set at 234.5 points. The OVER is 6-1 in the last seven meetings. Milwaukee is 10-1 in its last 11 home games while Boston is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Boston News & Notes
Boston picked up a 111-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday in its last outing. Jaylen Brown dropped 34 points to lead all scorers while Robert Williams posted 21 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double.
The Celtics have ramped up the offense a bit over the past couple of weeks, averaging 110.4 points per game in their last five games – including a 117-103 win over the Bucks on December 13. Jayson Tatum scored 42 points in that game while Boston held Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 20.
Boston will be shorthanded for Saturday’s matchup as Al Horford, Enes Kanter, Jabari Parker, Josh Richardson, Brodric Thomas, Sam Hauser, Juancho Hernangomez, and Grant Williams are all in health and safety protocols.
Milwaukee News & Notes
The Bucks won their second straight game on Thursday, topping the Dallas Mavericks 102-95. Khris Middleton led the team with 26 points while Jrue Holiday scored 24 and DeMarcus Cousins added 22.
With Antetokounmpo out in health and safety protocols since December 14, the Bucks have managed to hold their own, going 3-2 over that span. Middleton and Holiday have each stepped up to fill the big man’s shoes, averaging 24.5 and 28.5 points, respectively, in Antetokounmpo’s absence.
The Greek Freak remains questionable for Saturday’s matchup along with Bobby Portis (health and safety protocols) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (illness).
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How Boston Will Cover
The Celtics played a great game against the Bucks in their last meeting less than two weeks ago, and that was with Antetokounmpo in the lineup. With Milwaukee’s star player questionable for Saturday, Boston may be able to capitalize on a weakened Bucks squad. Whether Antetokounmpo is in or out, the Celtics should be confident that they can at least keep this one close.
How Milwaukee Will Cover
Holiday and Middleton have been stellar as of late for the Bucks and they could get a big boost if Antetokounmpo does make his return. Even without the Greek Freak, Milwaukee has got three of its five starters in the lineup, plus Cousins who has also stepped up as of late, averaging 20 points over his last two outings.
Computer Pick: Bucks -3
- Best Spread-110-110BOS+7.5-7.5MIL
- Best Moneyline+270-290BOSMIL
- Best Total-110-110Over234234Under
Bucks -3 is just one of the many NBA predictions you can find over at our NBA Computer Picks page.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- Boston is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- The OVER is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Milwaukee.
- Boston is 3-10 in its last 13 games as the underdog.
