After splitting the first two games in Boston, the Bucks will look to take 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series against the Celtics when things shift to Milwaukee for Game 3 on Saturday.
It’s been a long layoff for the Celtics and Bucks as their second-round Eastern Conference playoff series has been on hold since Boston evened the series with a 109-86 home victory in Game 2 on Tuesday. Both teams will look to break the tie on Saturday in Game 3.
The Bucks are 2-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 213.0.
Celtics vs. Bucks NBA Betting Odds
Between the regular season and playoffs, these teams have now played six total games against each other this year, splitting the head-to-head series at three wins apiece. The Over/Under has also split evenly for the year, although both games in this playoff series have gone Under.
Boston’s Game 2 victory was their sixth win in their last seven games. They’re 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 overall contests and 6-0 ATS in their last six on the road. The total has gone Under in four of the Celtics’ last five games.
Milwaukee’s loss on Tuesday snapped a four-game winning streak. They’re 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall, but just 1-5 ATS in their last six at home. The total has gone Under in the Bucks’ last seven games.
Boston currently sits as a -135 favourite to win this series, while Milwaukee is a +115 underdog. The series is favoured to go to seven games at +129.
Boston Celtics
After a brutal shooting performance in Game 1, Jaylen Brown stepped up in Game 2 and dropped a game-high 30 points. Brown finished the first half with 25 points, going 9 for 10 from the field, including a perfect 5 for 5 from beyond the arc. Jayson Tatum added 29 points and eight assists, while Grant Williams had 21 points. Al Horford chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds. Derrick White filled in for Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, finishing with five assists, four rebounds and no points in 28 minutes of action. Smart, who missed Game 2 with a bruised right thigh, is expected to play on Saturday.
Even without Smart, Boston capitalized on Milwaukee’s mistakes in Game 2, scoring 24 points off of 16 turnovers. Tatum had his left wrist wrapped in tape following the game, but he downplayed the situation and said it was an “excessive” tape job by a Celtics trainer to keep the swelling down after he fell.
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo was shut down by Boston in Game 2 and limited to a team-high 28 points, well below the output expected from a superstar of his calibre. Antetokounmpo also added nine rebounds and seven assists. He missed his first six shots of the game before finally landing a dunk with less than a minute left in the first quarter. Jrue Holiday finished with 19 points and seven assists, while Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton each chipped in 13 points.
Milwaukee struggled from the start, allowing the game’s first seven points and trailing 18-3 at one point in the opening period. The Bucks trailed 65-40 at halftime and never really looked like a threat in the game.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Bucks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 4 May 3:09am | BOS | -3 -110 | O +213 -110 |
| Closing 7 May 7:21pm | BOS | -2.5 -112 | O +212 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
26.92 |
| Assists |
5.87 |
| Rebounds |
9.64 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.68 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
29.88 |
| Assists |
6.82 |
| Rebounds |
11.61 |
| FG% |
55.3 |
| Steals |
1.61 |
| Blocks |
1.36 |
| Points |
25.63 |
| Assists |
6.17 |
| Rebounds |
9.3 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.24 |
| Blocks |
2.24 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
14.17 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
26.92 |
| Assists |
5.87 |
| Rebounds |
9.64 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.68 |
| Blocks |
2.2 |
| Points |
29.88 |
| Assists |
6.82 |
| Rebounds |
11.61 |
| FG% |
55.3 |
| Steals |
1.61 |
| Blocks |
1.36 |
| Points |
25.63 |
| Assists |
6.17 |
| Rebounds |
9.3 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.24 |
| Blocks |
2.24 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
14.17 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 4 May 3:09am BOS -3 -110 O +213 -110 Closing 7 May 7:21pm BOS -2.5 -112 O +212 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 29.88
Assists 6.82
Rebounds 11.61
FG% 55.3
Steals 1.61
Blocks 1.36
Points 25.63
Assists 6.17
Rebounds 9.3
FG% 75
Steals 1.24
Blocks 2.24
Points 31.67
Assists 7
Rebounds 14.17
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 29.88
Assists 6.82
Rebounds 11.61
FG% 55.3
Steals 1.61
Blocks 1.36
Points 25.63
Assists 6.17
Rebounds 9.3
FG% 75
Steals 1.24
Blocks 2.24
Points 31.67
Assists 7
Rebounds 14.17
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
-
Injuries
Robert 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 / 22George 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 / 22Injuries
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.
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.