The Celtics have moved on from Kyrie Irving and replaced him with the much more malleable Kemba Walker. The former Charlotte Hornet is leading the C’s in scoring at 22 points per game.
Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks roll into Boston to take on the new-look Celtics in a potential Eastern Conference finals preview on Wednesday night. The Bucks are seeking their fifth straight win and cover against the C’s since their matchup in the playoffs last spring.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Milwaukee enters Wednesday’s showdown with a 2-1 mark both straight up and against the spread. The side covered as a 15.5-point home favourite on Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Oddsmakers have placed large Over/Under lines in each of the Bucks’ first three games with the smallest total coming in at 223. The Over is 2-0 in Milwaukee’s last two contests and 2-1 overall this season.
Boston is also 2-1 SU and ATS coming into this matchup. The C’s were last seen taking down the Knicks 118-95 as 5.5-point road favourites. They also covered as 2.5-point chalk at home against the Toronto Raptors, but lost by double digits in their season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Bucks remain the favourites to come out of the Eastern Conference. Sports Interaction lists Milwaukee at +155 ($100 bet pays $155) to win the East with the Celtics in third at +700.
SIA have the Bucks at +525 – behind only the Clippers and Lakers – to win the NBA championship. Boston is a longer shot at +2500.
Milwaukee Bucks
Fear the Deer is the slogan in Wisconsin. That could be changed to Fear the Freak. The Greek Freak won the MVP last season and many expect – including SIA oddsmakers – him to repeat in 2020.
It’s only three games into the new campaign, but there are initial signs for concern. Antetokounmpo is shooting just 16.7 percent on 3-pointers and 53.6 percent from the free throw line. Giannis is attempting a career-high four 3-pointers per game as well.
That’s a problem because the Bucks don’t have the same level of secondary scoring with Malcolm Brogdon now cashing cheques with the Indiana Pacers.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have moved on from Kyrie Ivring and replaced him with the much more malleable Kemba Walker. The former Charlotte Hornet is leading the C’s in scoring at 22 points per game. His assist numbers (2.7 per game) aren’t nearly as flattering, but that shouldn’t concern Boston backers.
The club is still among the league leaders in assist rate (percent of baskets assisted on) and assist/turnover ratio.
Who Will Win Bucks vs. Celtics?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
Injuries
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
George Hill (PG)
George Hill (PG)
George Hill (PG)
Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Brook Lopez (C)
Wesley Matthews (SG)
Romeo Langford (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Vincent Poirier (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Tremont Waters (PG)
Javonte Green (SG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Gordon Hayward (SF)
Vincent Poirier (C)
Romeo Langford (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Bledsoe (PG) | Prob Wed | Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat. |
|||||
| George Hill (PG) | Prob Mon | Finger - 30 / 08 / 20 | 1-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury. |
|||||
| George Hill (PG) | Prob Mon | Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20 | 3-3 | 4-3 | + - |
|
Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic. |
|||||
| George Hill (PG) | Out Thurs | Rest - 13 / 08 / 20 | 5-5 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
|||||
| Ersan Ilyasova (PF) | Ques Sat | Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Eric Bledsoe (PG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Donte DiVincenzo (SG) | Prob Thurs | Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday. |
|||||
| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic. |
|||||
| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 04 / 08 / 20 | 6-9 | 9-7 | + - |
|
Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Wesley Matthews (SG) | Ques Thurs | Calf - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-9 | 10-7 | + - |
|
Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo Langford (SG) | out for season | Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20 | 2-3 | 4-1 | + - |
|
Langford will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to fix the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. |
|||||
| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Tues | Groin - 12 / 09 / 20 | 3-4 | 5-2 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by a groin injury, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Vincent Poirier (C) | Prob Tues | Personal - 03 / 09 / 20 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Poirier is away from the team for the birth of his child. He is likely to return against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Thurs | Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20 | 6-5 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Williams III is anticipated to take on the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round despite injuring his tailbone. |
|||||
| Tremont Waters (PG) | Prob Mon | Knee - 26 / 08 / 20 | 7-6 | 5-8 | + - |
|
Waters has a left knee sprain, but he is likely to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Raptors. |
|||||
| Javonte Green (SG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 20 / 08 / 20 | 9-6 | 6-9 | + - |
|
Green is recuperating from surgery to fix a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee, but he is likely to be ready for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Wed | Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20 | 10-6 | 6-10 | + - |
|
Brown is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a right thigh contusion. |
|||||
| Gordon Hayward (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20 | 10-7 | 6-11 | + - |
|
Hayward is sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will return to action against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Vincent Poirier (C) | Prob Wed | Groin - 16 / 08 / 20 | 10-7 | 6-11 | + - |
|
Porier is battling a left groin strain, but he is likely to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
|||||
| Romeo Langford (SG) | Prob Mon | Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20 | 11-7 | 6-12 | + - |
|
Langford is dealing with a sprained right wrist, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers. |
|||||
-
Line History
No odds are available yet.
-
Injuries
Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20George Hill (PG)
Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20Ersan Ilyasova (PF)
Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20Eric Bledsoe (PG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20Wesley Matthews (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20Brook Lopez (C)
Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20Wesley Matthews (SG)
Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20Romeo Langford (SG)
out for season Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Tues Groin - 12 / 09 / 20Vincent Poirier (C)
Prob Tues Personal - 03 / 09 / 20Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Thurs Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20Tremont Waters (PG)
Prob Mon Knee - 26 / 08 / 20Javonte Green (SG)
Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 08 / 20Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Wed Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20Gordon Hayward (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20Vincent Poirier (C)
Prob Wed Groin - 16 / 08 / 20Romeo Langford (SG)
Prob Mon Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Eric Bledsoe (PG) Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-3 + - Bledsoe has a strained right hamstring, but he is expected to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Heat.
George Hill (PG) Prob Mon Finger - 30 / 08 / 20 1-3 2-3 + - Hill is likely to take on the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round despite a finger injury.
George Hill (PG) Prob Mon Hamstring - 24 / 08 / 20 3-3 4-3 + - Hill is managing a left hamstring injury but is likely to be available for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
George Hill (PG) Out Thurs Rest - 13 / 08 / 20 5-5 6-5 + - Hill will receive a day of rest and will not be available against the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Ersan Ilyasova (PF) Ques Sat Elbow - 12 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Ilyasova is nursing a right elbow sprain, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status against the Magic in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Eric Bledsoe (PG) Prob Thurs Knee - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Bledsoe sat out the last game with a right knee soreness, but he is likely to be active for Thursday's battle with the Grizzlies.
Donte DiVincenzo (SG) Prob Thurs Elbow - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - DiVincenzo missed the previous game due to a right elbow contusion, but it is anticipated that he will face the Grizzlies on Thursday.
Wesley Matthews (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 11 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-6 + - Matthews has a sore right adductor, but he is likely to take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Magic.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Tues Rest - 04 / 08 / 20 6-9 9-7 + - Lopez will receive a day of rest and will not suit up against the Nets on Tuesday.
Wesley Matthews (SG) Ques Thurs Calf - 03 / 08 / 20 7-9 10-7 + - Matthews missed the last game battling soreness in his right calf, and it is unknown if he will be in Thursday's lineup against the Heat.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Romeo Langford (SG) out for season Wrist - 17 / 09 / 20 2-3 4-1 + - Langford will miss the remainder of the season after having surgery to fix the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Tues Groin - 12 / 09 / 20 3-4 5-2 + - Brown is hampered by a groin injury, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final versus the Heat.
Vincent Poirier (C) Prob Tues Personal - 03 / 09 / 20 6-5 5-6 + - Poirier is away from the team for the birth of his child. He is likely to return against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Thurs Tailbone - 03 / 09 / 20 6-5 5-6 + - Williams III is anticipated to take on the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second round despite injuring his tailbone.
Tremont Waters (PG) Prob Mon Knee - 26 / 08 / 20 7-6 5-8 + - Waters has a left knee sprain, but he is likely to play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Raptors.
Javonte Green (SG) Prob Sun Knee - 20 / 08 / 20 9-6 6-9 + - Green is recuperating from surgery to fix a small tear to the meniscus in his right knee, but he is likely to be ready for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Heat.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Wed Thigh - 18 / 08 / 20 10-6 6-10 + - Brown is expected to suit up against the 76ers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite a right thigh contusion.
Gordon Hayward (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 17 / 08 / 20 10-7 6-11 + - Hayward is sidelined with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, and it is unclear if he will return to action against the Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Vincent Poirier (C) Prob Wed Groin - 16 / 08 / 20 10-7 6-11 + - Porier is battling a left groin strain, but he is likely to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
Romeo Langford (SG) Prob Mon Wrist - 13 / 08 / 20 11-7 6-12 + - Langford is dealing with a sprained right wrist, but it is anticipated that he will take the court in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.