The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics have plenty in common as they prepare to square off Friday night at TD Garden. Both teams are off to slower-than-expected starts to the season, both teams are coming off a victory, and both rosters will be without key secondary stars. The Bucks bring a two-game winning streak into Beantown, and will look to overcome the absence of Khris Middleton against a Celtics team playing without star forward Jaylen Brown.
Milwaukee opened as a 2-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 216.
Bucks vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds
Bettors are going to have a hard time with this one thanks to divergent head-to-head trends. The Bucks have won seven of the past 10 meetings between the teams, but have covered just once in the past six encounters. That said, Milwaukee has been a terrific road cover play this season (5-2 against the spread away from Fiserv Forum), while the Celtics come in having gone just 1-3 ATS on home court.
The total is on the modest side at 216, but even that might not be low enough for two teams that are trending toward the Under. Boston comes in having surpassed the total in just four of its first 11 regular-season games, while the Bucks (3-9 O/U) are one of the top Under plays in the league to date. But defence has routinely taken a holiday whenever these teams square off in Boston, with the Over cashing in 15 of the past 20 meetings at TD Garden.
Milwaukee Bucks
It’s wonderful for the Bucks to have one of the top basketball players in the world on their side – but you couldn’t fault Giannis Antetokounmpo for wondering where the help is. Through his team’s first 12 games, Giannis has led the team in scoring 10 times, rebounding 10 times and assists on nine occasions. He leads the team in scoring by 6.6 points over runner-up Middleton, 4.4 rebounds over No. 2 Bobby Portis and 1.5 assists over second-place Middleton.
Boston Celtics
While Giannis has been a one-man army for the defending NBA champions, the Celtics are much more a two-man show – and with one member of that dynamic duo sidelined indefinitely, all the pressure falls on Jayson Tatum. The fifth-year forward has underachieved – at least by his lofty standards – so far in 2021-22, averaging 23.5 points (nearly three points lower than last year). He’s also shooting just 38.9 per cent from the field and 32.9 per cent from long range.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Celtics?
Line History
No odds are available yet.
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
29.88 |
| Assists |
6.82 |
| Rebounds |
11.61 |
| FG% |
55.3 |
| Steals |
1.61 |
| Blocks |
1.36 |
| Points |
26.92 |
| Assists |
5.87 |
| Rebounds |
9.64 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.68 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
14.17 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
25.63 |
| Assists |
6.17 |
| Rebounds |
9.3 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.24 |
| Blocks |
2.24 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
29.88 |
| Assists |
6.82 |
| Rebounds |
11.61 |
| FG% |
55.3 |
| Steals |
1.61 |
| Blocks |
1.36 |
| Points |
26.92 |
| Assists |
5.87 |
| Rebounds |
9.64 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.68 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
14.17 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
25.63 |
| Assists |
6.17 |
| Rebounds |
9.3 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.24 |
| Blocks |
2.24 |
Injuries
George Hill (PG)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Luca Vildoza (PG)
Bobby Portis (PF)
Bobby Portis (PF)
Jordan Nwora (PF)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Serge Ibaka (PF)
Brook Lopez (C)
Bobby Portis (PF)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Hill (PG) | Prob Wed | Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Hill is hampered by an abdominal injury, but it is projected that he will face the Celtics on Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Wed | Illness - 09 / 05 / 22 | 1-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Ibaka is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics. |
|||||
| Luca Vildoza (PG) | Prob Wed | Illness - 24 / 04 / 22 | 5-3 | 2-7 | + - |
|
Vildoza is ailing from a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls. |
|||||
| Bobby Portis (PF) | Prob Fri | Eye - 21 / 04 / 22 | 5-5 | 2-9 | + - |
|
Portis is dealing with a right eye abrasion, but it is projected that he will hit the court against the Bulls in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Bobby Portis (PF) | Prob Wed | Calf - 19 / 04 / 22 | 5-5 | 2-9 | + - |
|
Portis is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls despite a right calf contusion. |
|||||
| Jordan Nwora (PF) | Prob Wed | Back - 17 / 04 / 22 | 5-6 | 3-9 | + - |
|
Nwora is dealing with back soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Bulls in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Jrue Holiday (PG) | day-to-day | Rest - 10 / 04 / 22 | 6-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Holiday exited Sunday's game due to rest purposes, and he will not return. |
|||||
| Serge Ibaka (PF) | Prob Sun | Illness - 10 / 04 / 22 | 6-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Ibaka is managing a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will be active against the Bulls for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Brook Lopez (C) | Out Sun | Rest - 09 / 04 / 22 | 6-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Lopez will not be in the starting lineup against the Cavaliers on Sunday as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Bobby Portis (PF) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22 | 6-6 | 4-9 | + - |
|
Portis is battling left shoulder soreness, leaving his status for Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference versus the Bulls clouded. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Williams III (C) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 15 / 06 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Mon | Knee - 12 / 06 / 22 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Fri | Knee - 09 / 06 / 22 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Wed | Knee - 07 / 06 / 22 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 04 / 06 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Smart is dealing with a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will face the Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 01 / 06 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Smart has a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 28 / 05 / 22 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Williams III is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is projected that he will play against the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22 | 5-4 | 3-6 | + - |
|
Smart has a right ankle sprain, and it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat. |
|||||
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Line History
No odds are available yet.
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 29.88
Assists 6.82
Rebounds 11.61
FG% 55.3
Steals 1.61
Blocks 1.36
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 31.67
Assists 7
Rebounds 14.17
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
Points 25.63
Assists 6.17
Rebounds 9.3
FG% 75
Steals 1.24
Blocks 2.24
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 29.88
Assists 6.82
Rebounds 11.61
FG% 55.3
Steals 1.61
Blocks 1.36
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 31.67
Assists 7
Rebounds 14.17
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
Points 25.63
Assists 6.17
Rebounds 9.3
FG% 75
Steals 1.24
Blocks 2.24
-
Injuries
George Hill (PG)
Prob Wed Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Wed Illness - 09 / 05 / 22Luca Vildoza (PG)
Prob Wed Illness - 24 / 04 / 22Bobby Portis (PF)
Prob Fri Eye - 21 / 04 / 22Bobby Portis (PF)
Prob Wed Calf - 19 / 04 / 22Jordan Nwora (PF)
Prob Wed Back - 17 / 04 / 22Jrue Holiday (PG)
day-to-day Rest - 10 / 04 / 22Serge Ibaka (PF)
Prob Sun Illness - 10 / 04 / 22Brook Lopez (C)
Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 22Bobby Portis (PF)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Ques Thurs Knee - 15 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Fri Knee - 09 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 04 / 06 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 01 / 06 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 05 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes George Hill (PG) Prob Wed Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22 1-2 2-1 + - Hill is hampered by an abdominal injury, but it is projected that he will face the Celtics on Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Wed Illness - 09 / 05 / 22 1-2 2-2 + - Ibaka is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics.
Luca Vildoza (PG) Prob Wed Illness - 24 / 04 / 22 5-3 2-7 + - Vildoza is ailing from a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls.
Bobby Portis (PF) Prob Fri Eye - 21 / 04 / 22 5-5 2-9 + - Portis is dealing with a right eye abrasion, but it is projected that he will hit the court against the Bulls in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Bobby Portis (PF) Prob Wed Calf - 19 / 04 / 22 5-5 2-9 + - Portis is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls despite a right calf contusion.
Jordan Nwora (PF) Prob Wed Back - 17 / 04 / 22 5-6 3-9 + - Nwora is dealing with back soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Bulls in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Jrue Holiday (PG) day-to-day Rest - 10 / 04 / 22 6-6 4-9 + - Holiday exited Sunday's game due to rest purposes, and he will not return.
Serge Ibaka (PF) Prob Sun Illness - 10 / 04 / 22 6-6 4-9 + - Ibaka is managing a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will be active against the Bulls for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Brook Lopez (C) Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 22 6-6 4-9 + - Lopez will not be in the starting lineup against the Cavaliers on Sunday as he will receive a day of rest.
Bobby Portis (PF) Ques Sun Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22 6-6 4-9 + - Portis is battling left shoulder soreness, leaving his status for Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference versus the Bulls clouded.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Robert Williams III (C) Ques Thurs Knee - 15 / 06 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the court for Game 6 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Mon Knee - 12 / 06 / 22 0-2 0-2 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Fri Knee - 09 / 06 / 22 1-3 1-3 + - Williams III has a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will take the court for Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 06 / 22 1-3 1-3 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sun Knee - 04 / 06 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is projected that he will partake in Game 3 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 06 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Smart is dealing with a sprained right ankle, but it is likely that he will face the Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 01 / 06 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Williams III is tending to a sore left knee, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus the Warriors.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Sun Ankle - 28 / 05 / 22 4-4 3-5 + - Smart has a right ankle sprain, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sun Knee - 28 / 05 / 22 4-4 3-5 + - Williams III is dealing with left knee soreness, but it is projected that he will play against the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Fri Ankle - 26 / 05 / 22 5-4 3-6 + - Smart has a right ankle sprain, and it is not expected to affect his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.