On Wednesday, The Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks will play the first game of their two-game miniseries. The Celtics have struggled lately, only winning one out of their last five games. Meanwhile, the Bucks have been the complete opposite, winning seven straight games and 12 out of their last 13 overall. Will the Celtics find a way to bounce back or will Milwaukee extend their hot streak?

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Celtics are 1-8 straight in their last eight road games and the lone win was against the Houston Rockets, who just wrapped up a 20-game losing streak. This team is just wildly inconsistent and hasn’t proven that they can consistently win outside of the comforts of their own home this season.

Meanwhile, the Bucks are 8-3 in their last 11 when playing at home. They have been dominant for the majority of the season despite a few losing stretches that were followed by large winning streaks.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics are struggling despite having a near fully healthy roster. The excuse in the early part of the season was that they weren’t healthy; well, what’s the issue now?

Their star forward Jayson Tatum did miss their last game though but is expected to be back in time for this matchup against Milwaukee, though, he is still day to day. Tatum leads the team with 24.9 points, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while functioning as the leader and clutch shot taker of this organization. He has gotten great production out of his fellow wing in Jaylen Brown, who puts up similar stats with 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. If you were told these two would be All-Stars this year, who would have figured the Celtics would be just 36-31?

Defense has been a big issue as this team held opponents to just 44.1% from the field last season, which was fourth-best in the NBA. They’re now 14th in the category at 46.7% and they’re also committing a ton of fouls. They’re fifth-worst in that category. Those are big reasons why they’re slipping.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks were able to wallop the Indiana Pacers in their last game despite not having their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup. He is still considered day-to-day but should return for this matchup as well as newly-acquired P.J. Tucker, who was ruled out in their last game after suffered a small ankle injury. Giannis alone should give this team a chance to win, putting up MVP numbers with 29.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists, leading the team in each of those categories.

The combo of Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, when healthy, has taken a lot of pressure off of Antetokounmpo as well. All three of them forming a trio that is among the best in the league.

Who Will Win Celtics vs. Bucks?

CELTICS

Away

117

BUCKS

Home

121

Score
Predictions

Matchup