Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Game 2 Prediction, NBA Odds
It was the Giannis Antetokounmpo show on Sunday as the Milwaukee superstar’s triple-double performance led the Bucks to a 101-89 victory in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Game 2 is set for Tuesday night at TD Garden in Boston.
The Celtics are 4-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 214.5.
Bucks vs. Celtics NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
Milwaukee’s Game 1 victory was their third consecutive win against the Celtics. It’s generally been a high scoring head-to-head between these teams as the Over has hit in eight of the last 10 games. Early betting action has about 60 per cent of Sports Interaction bettors taking the Bucks in Game 2, while nearly 90 per cent of bets are favouring the Under.
Milwaukee has now covered in four straight games and they are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight road games. Strong defence has led to the total has going Under in their last six contests. The Bucks are now -141 favourites to win the series.
Boston has generally been a solid cover option this year and they’re 7-2 ATS coming into this matchup. They have trended more toward high scoring games, with the Over hitting in 12 of their last 17. The Celtics are +115 underdogs on the series line.
Milwaukee Bucks
One play epitomized Game 1. Midway through the fourth quarter with his teammates under heavy coverage and no open lanes, Antetokounmpo banked a pass off the backboard to himself and landed a monster slam that all but sealed the win for Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for his second career playoff triple-double. Jrue Holiday added a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds, while Bobby Portis had 15 points and 11 boards. The Bucks played without Khris Middleton or George Hill in the lineup. Middleton is expected to miss at least two more games with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Hill is essentially on a game-to-game status because of an abdominal strain that has kept him out of the lineup since April 8.
Boston Celtics
After shutting down Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics struggled to contain Antetokounmpo on Sunday despite having Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart on the court. Smart left late in the first half with an apparent shoulder injury, but he was able to return after the break and finished with 10 points. Jayson Tatum led the team with 21 points and Jaylen Brown had 12, but the star duo combined to shoot just 10 for 31 in the game. Al Horford added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Boston shot 33 per cent from the floor as a team. Smart’s shoulder isn’t expected to keep him out of Game 2 and the Celtics will need him if they have any hope of shutting down the Greek Freak.
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