Celtics vs. Bucks: Game 3 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds

Jeremy Perry | Updated Apr 19, 2018

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The Celtics seized control of their opening round playoff series with the Bucks with back-to-back wins on their home floor. Now they will look to put a stranglehold on the series with Game 3 on the road this Friday night.

Boston
55-27
AT
April 20, 2018, 9:30 PM ET
BMO Harris Bradley Center
Milwaukee
44-38
Pointspread +5 -105
Moneyline +185
Over / Under o +205.5

75%

Betting Action

25%

Matchup Odds
Pointspread -5 -115
Moneyline -225
Over / Under u +205.5

75%

Betting Action

25%

Matchup Odds

Can the Celtics win on the road and take a 3-0 series lead? The Bucks will be throwing their best punch in this spot as it’s do-or-die for them.

NBA Playoffs Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Bucks were a much better team at home than on the road throughout the regular season. Milwaukee went 25-16 at home compared to just 19-22 as the visiting team. They are 19-26 ATS as a favorite this year but they did go 31-17 SU in those contests.

Meanwhile, the Celtics travelled well throughout the regular season with a 28-13 record on the road. They are 4-1 ATS and 3-2 SU in their last five in Milwaukee. They’re a dog in this spot and have played well in that role this season, going 19-5 ATS and 14-10 SU.

Boston Celtics

A number of players have stepped up for the Celtics with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward sidelined for the playoffs. It was Jaylen Brown’s turn to deliver in the Game 2 matchup and he responded with a playoff career-high 30 points in a 120-106 win. We’ll see if he can back it up but the Celtics have other youngsters – like Jayson Tatum – who could step up. He had 19 in Game 1 before contributing only four points in Game 2.

Al Horford, who has been excellent so far in this series, recorded 16 points, five rebounds and four assists in Game 2. Meanwhile, Terry Rozier finished with 23 points while Marcus Morris chipped in with 18 off the bench. Boston has tremendous depth and excellent coaching. You can see that in the effort, the strategy and the turnovers. They’ve had far less than the Bucks in both games and that’s helped significantly.

Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been an absolute beast through the first two games of the series. The Greek Freak had a team-high 30 points with nine rebounds, eight assists, a block and a steal in Game 2 but it wasn’t enough as Milwaukee still lost by 14 points. It’s hard to believe that the Bucks shot over 59% and still lost by 14.

Ultimately, the Bucks need more players to step up and help Antetokounmpo at both ends of the floor. Khris Middleton has been good but more is needed out of players like Eric Bledsoe and Tony Snell. It won’t help matters that Bledsoe is talking trash about Rozier, who has schooled him through two games, while Bledsoe has been a no-show. Maybe he gets fired up for this game.

Milwaukee needs to play a little smarter at both ends of the floor. They have 35 turnovers in two games, which is way too much. They also need to play stronger team defense. The Celtics are still young and inexperienced, and the Bucks are back at home. That should give them a significant edge.

Celtics vs. Bucks Game 3 Prediction

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NBA Predictions
  • BOS
  • +5 -5
  • MIL
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