Milwaukee and Boston both played on Wednesday with opposite results. The Bucks fell 119-104 against Atlanta to drop to 11-10 on the year, while the Celtics won 130-120 against Detroit to improve to 18-4.

Boston opened as a 6.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds.

Bucks vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds

After the teams evenly split last year’s four-game season series, the Celtics took the first two meetings this year, winning 119-112 at home on October 28 and 120-112 on the road on November 10. Overall, Boston has won seven of the last 10 head-to-heads, but Milwaukee has covered the spread in six of those games.

After a slow start to the season, the Bucks seem to have figured things out, with Wednesday’s loss snapping a seven game win streak. Thursday could be tricky, however, as Milwaukee has lost five straight games at TD Garden. Meanwhile, Boston comes in on a six-game home win streak.

Both teams have been a disappointment for bettors. The Celtics are 9-13 against the spread and they have failed to cover in seven of their last nine games, while the Bucks are 8-12-1 ATS and have covered just four times over their last 10 games.

Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo once again led the way for Milwaukee on Wednesday, finishing with a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds. Antetokounmpo is averaging an NBA-best 32.6 points per game, while leading the Bucks with 11.6 rebounds per game. Damian Lillard added 25 points against the Hawks to bring his season total to 25.9 ppg. Taurean Prince has remained hot from deep as he leads the league in 3-point percentage (55.6).

All-Star forward Khris Middleton is expected to make his 2024-25 debut on Friday. Middleton missed the first 21 games of the season while recovering from off-season surgeries on both ankles. While Middleton’s return to the lineup should be a big boost for Milwaukee, his minutes will likely be strictly limited as he works his way back.

Boston Celtics

With Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday both sidelined by knee injuries, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis stepped up for Boston on Wednesday. Brown finished with a game-high 28 points and nine assists, while Porzingis added 26 points and nine rebounds. Sam Hauser dropped a season-high 20 points and Payton Pritchard came in clutch with 19 points off the bench. It was the first game Tatum has missed this season.

While Holiday is expected to play on Friday, Tatum is still listed as questionable. If Tatum can’t go, Hauser should continue to start. Hauser has made the most of his opportunity, dropping five triples against Detroit.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Celtics?

• Regular Season

Bucks Team Leaders

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.49
Assists	Damian Lillard 7.12
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.97
FG%	Tyler Smith 64.3
Steals	Damian Lillard 1.26
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.93

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 27.53
Assists	Jayson Tatum 5.43
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 9.25
FG%	Neemias Queta 66.7
Steals	Jayson Tatum 1.33
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.42

• Regular Season

Celtics Team Leaders

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.49
Assists	Damian Lillard 7.12
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.97
FG%	Tyler Smith 64.3
Steals	Damian Lillard 1.26
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.93

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 27.53
Assists	Jayson Tatum 5.43
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 9.25
FG%	Neemias Queta 66.7
Steals	Jayson Tatum 1.33
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.42

Injuries

Milwaukee

AJ Green (PG)

Ques Wed Quadricep - 18 / 01 / 25

Khris Middleton (SF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 18 / 01 / 25

MarJon Beauchamp (SF)

Ques Wed Illness - 17 / 01 / 25

Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)

Prob Fri Knee - 16 / 01 / 25

Andre Jackson Jr. (SG)

Ques Sun Hip - 16 / 01 / 25

Khris Middleton (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 16 / 01 / 25

Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 15 / 01 / 25

Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)

Prob Tue Knee - 13 / 01 / 25

Khris Middleton (SF)

Prob Wed Ankle - 13 / 01 / 25

Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 11 / 01 / 25

Boston

Al Horford (C)

Ques Mon Toe - 18 / 01 / 25

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

Ques Mon Foot - 18 / 01 / 25

Jayson Tatum (SF)

Ques Sat Shoulder - 18 / 01 / 25

Drew Peterson (SF)

Out indefinitely Concussion - 09 / 01 / 25

Jordan Walsh (SG)

Ques Wed Illness - 07 / 01 / 25

Derrick White (PG)

Ques Fri Illness - 07 / 01 / 25

Jaylen Brown (SG)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25

Anton Watson (SF)

Out indefinitely Thigh - 28 / 12 / 24

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24

Jrue Holiday (PG)

Ques Tues Shoulder - 24 / 12 / 24

Injuries

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
AJ Green (PG)	Ques Wed	Quadricep - 18 / 01 / 25	3-0	3-0	+ -
Green is dealing with a left quad strain, and it is unknown if he will face the Pelicans on Wednesday.
Khris Middleton (SF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 18 / 01 / 25	3-0	3-0	+ -
Middleton is nursing with an ankle injury, but he is likely to face the 76ers on Sunday.
MarJon Beauchamp (SF)	Ques Wed	Illness - 17 / 01 / 25	3-0	3-0	+ -
Beauchamp is ailing with an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Pelicans on Wednesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 16 / 01 / 25	4-0	4-0	+ -
Antetokounmpo is battling with a knee injury, but he is projected to face the Raptors on Friday.
Andre Jackson Jr. (SG)	Ques Sun	Hip - 16 / 01 / 25	4-0	4-0	+ -
Jackson Jr. is dealing with hip contusion, and it is unclear if he will play against the 76ers on Sunday.
Khris Middleton (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 16 / 01 / 25	4-0	4-0	+ -
Middleton is dealing with an ankle injury, but he is likely to face the Raptors on Friday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 15 / 01 / 25	4-1	5-0	+ -
Antetokounmpo is tending to a knee injury, and he is anticipated to kit up against the Magic on Wednesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)	Prob Tue	Knee - 13 / 01 / 25	4-1	5-0	+ -
Antetokounmpo is dealing with a knee injury, but he is expected to play against the Kings on Tuesday.
Khris Middleton (SF)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 13 / 01 / 25	4-1	5-0	+ -
Middleton missed the last two games dealing with an ankle injury, and he is likely be active against the Magic on Wednesday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 11 / 01 / 25	4-2	6-0	+ -
Antetokounmpo is managing a knee injury, but he is expected to play against the Knicks on Sunday.

Boston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Al Horford (C)	Ques Mon	Toe - 18 / 01 / 25	2-1	1-2	+ -
Horford is nursing with a left big toe sprain, and it is yet to established if he will play Monday's game against the Warriors.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	Ques Mon	Foot - 18 / 01 / 25	2-1	1-2	+ -
Porzingis is dealing with left posterior tibial tendon injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Warriors on Monday.
Jayson Tatum (SF)	Ques Sat	Shoulder - 18 / 01 / 25	2-1	1-2	+ -
Tatum is battling with a left shoulder strain, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday's game versus the Hawks.
Drew Peterson (SF)	Out indefinitely	Concussion - 09 / 01 / 25	3-4	2-5	+ -
Peterson is dealing with a concussion, and he is without a definitive timetable for return.
Jordan Walsh (SG)	Ques Wed	Illness - 07 / 01 / 25	3-5	2-6	+ -
Walsh is ailing with an illness, and it is uncertain if he will play against Raptors on Wednesday.
Derrick White (PG)	Ques Fri	Illness - 07 / 01 / 25	3-5	2-6	+ -
White is ailing with an illness, and it is unknown if he will take the court against the Kings on Friday.
Jaylen Brown (SG)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25	5-5	3-8	+ -
Brown is battling with right shoulder injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Thunder on Sunday.
Anton Watson (SF)	Out indefinitely	Thigh - 28 / 12 / 24	6-7	6-8	+ -
Watson is dealing with a left adductor strain, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24	6-8	6-9	+ -
Porzingis missed the previous contest with a left ankle soreness, and it is undetermined if he will suit up for Friday's clash against the Rockets.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	Ques Tues	Shoulder - 24 / 12 / 24	6-8	6-9	+ -
Holiday is managing a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be participate against the Raptors on Tuesday.