The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off one of the worst losses in NBA playoff history for a No. 1 seed, but the sportsbooks still as favour the Deer to oust the Boston Celtics.

Giannis Antetokounmpo will have to rebound from a disastrous Game 1 performance for his Bucks to level the series against the Celtics before the setting shifts to Boston for Games 3 and 4.

NBA Playoffs Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Celtics improved to 5-0 straight up and 4-0-1 against the spread (ATS) in these playoffs following their outright win as 8-point underdogs on Sunday. Defence seems to be the key to the club’s success.

Boston is allowing a league-best 94.4 points per 100 possessions in the post-season. The team surrendered just 90 points to a Milwaukee side that averaged close to 122 points in its first round series against the Detroit Pistons. The under is 4-1 in the C’s post-season games.

The Bucks are still 4-1 SU and ATS in the playoffs after their Game 1 disappointment. The 22-point loss was the third-worst by a No. 1 seed in an NBA playoff game since 1984 according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Sports Interaction still lists the Bucks as favourites to win the series at -139 despite Boston now holding the home-court advantage. The Celtics are paying +100 to advance to the Eastern Conference.

NBA bettors don’t seem to have as much confidence in the Bucks. About 79 percent of the early spread action for this game at Sports Interaction is on the Celtics +7.5. Meanwhile, more than 92 percent of the bettors are backing the under on the 220-point total in Game 2.

Boston Celtics

Al Horford doesn’t put up a lot in the form of traditional, countable stats for a player earning almost $29 million. But there can be no arguing his value to the Celtics following the events of Game 1.

Giannis Antetokounmpo shot just 3-for-11 from the field with Horford guarding him. He blocked the Greek Freak three times included a memorable clean stuff at the rim.

Horford chipped in with 20 points at the offensive end – just two points fewer than what Giannis totaled in the contest. The Celtics will win this series easily if the Bucks don’t find ways to dominate this matchup.

Milwaukee Bucks

As much as the Bucks need more from Antetokounmpo, they also need their role players to make shots when the C’s cheat off of them. Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton shot a combined 1-for-11 from 3-point land in Game 1.

CELTICS

Away

101

BUCKS

Home

109

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Predictions

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