The Milwaukee Bucks have a chance to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in the last four years when they host the Boston Celtics on Friday.
The Boston Celtics are in a tough spot on Friday as they hit the road and travel to Milwaukee for Game 6, trailing 3-2 in their second-round playoff series against the Bucks. Milwaukee has a chance to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals following a 110-107 win in Boston on Wednesday.
The Bucks are 1.5-point favourites to win Game 6 on the NBA odds, with a total of 210.5.
Celtics vs. Bucks NBA Betting Odds
All the trends point towards the Celtics covering this game as they’re 8-0 against the spread in their last eight road games, 6-0 ATS in their last six games in Milwaukee and 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games overall against the Bucks. The total has gone Over in 10 of the last 14 head-to-heads between these teams. Boston now sits as a +219 underdog to win the series.
It’s been a struggle to cover at home for Milwaukee as they’re just 1-7 ATS in their last eight games at Fiserv Forum. It’s also worth noting that eight of their last 10 games have gone Under, including the first three games of this playoff series. The Bucks are -278 series favourites.
Boston Celtics
Boston looked well on their way to taking the series lead in Game 5 before suffering an epic collapse in the fourth quarter. The Celtics led by 14 points early in the final period before Milwaukee finally took the lead in the final minute and completed the comeback. It was Boston’s biggest blown lead in the playoffs in more than 25 years. Jayson Tatum led the team with 34 points, while Jaylen Brown had 26. Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart finished with 15 points and was completely shut down on the Celtics’ final two possessions.
A major reason for the late collapse in Game 5 was turning the ball over as eight of Boston’s 10 turnovers in the game came in the second half. They also only managed five offensive rebounds compared to Milwaukee’s 17. The Celtics were clearly hurting in the absence of big man Robert Williams III, who missed a second straight game, and fourth in this postseason, because of left knee soreness. Williams tore his meniscus on March 27 and eventually missed about a month after undergoing surgery. He is listed as questionable for Game 6.
Milwaukee Bucks
Jrue Holiday came up clutch for Milwaukee in Game 5, snuffing Boston’s Smart on the Celtics’ final two possessions. Holiday also hit the tying three with 43 seconds left in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 40 points and added 11 rebounds. Bobby Portis had 14 points and 15 boards. Portis was a big reason why the Bucks outrebounded Boston 49-36 overall, including 17-5 offensively.
In the absence of Khris Middleton, Holiday’s performance has been instrumental for Milwaukee. Holiday is averaging 21.8 points per game against the Celtics, which is over five points more than he averaged in the first round. He’s also picking up seven rebounds and 2.4 steals per contest. Middleton, on the other hand, hasn’t played since suffering a Grade 2 MCL sprain Game 2 of the first-round and it’s very unlikely he’ll play before the Eastern Conference Finals.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Bucks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 12 May 2:09am | BOS | -1.5 -110 | O +212 -110 |
| Closing 13 May 11:49pm | BOS | -1.5 -110 | O +212.5 -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 |
28.27 |
| Assists |
6.2 |
| Rebounds |
9.36 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.55 |
| Blocks |
1.8 |
| 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 |
28.27 |
| Assists |
6.2 |
| Rebounds |
9.36 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.55 |
| Blocks |
1.8 |
| Points |
31.67 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
14.17 |
| FG% |
66.7 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
Injuries
Marcus Smart (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Sam Hauser (SF)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Al Horford (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Al Horford (C)
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Ques Tues | Foot - 16 / 05 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Smart is managing a right mid-foot sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will face the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 09 / 05 / 22 | 3-1 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Williams III is bothered by a bone bruise in his left knee, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Sam Hauser (SF) | Out Tues | Shoulder - 06 / 05 / 22 | 4-1 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Hauser is battling a right shoulder injury, and he will not dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 02 / 05 / 22 | 4-2 | 2-5 | + - |
|
Smart is tending to a right quad contusion, but it is projected that he will face the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | day-to-day | Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 22 | 5-2 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Smart was removed from Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Bucks with a right shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will return. |
|||||
| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 22 | 5-2 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Brown is battling left hamstring tightness, but he is expected to take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Out Thurs | Rest - 07 / 04 / 22 | 10-3 | 6-8 | + - |
|
Horford will not be active for Thursday's contest against the Bucks as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
| Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22 | 10-3 | 6-8 | + - |
|
Smart is battling a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to face the Bucks on Thursday. |
|||||
| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Wed | Knee - 05 / 04 / 22 | 11-3 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Brown has right knee tendinopathy, but he is likely to take the court against the Bulls on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Al Horford (C) | Prob Wed | Back - 05 / 04 / 22 | 11-3 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Horford is dealing with a sore lower-back, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Bulls. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
BOSTON CELTICS
110 -
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
108
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 12 May 2:09am BOS -1.5 -110 O +212 -110 Closing 13 May 11:49pm BOS -1.5 -110 O +212.5 -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 28.27
Assists 6.2
Rebounds 9.36
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.55
Blocks 1.8
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 28.27
Assists 6.2
Rebounds 9.36
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.55
Blocks 1.8
Points 31.67
Assists 7
Rebounds 14.17
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
-
Injuries
Marcus Smart (PG)
Ques Tues Foot - 16 / 05 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 05 / 22Sam Hauser (SF)
Out Tues Shoulder - 06 / 05 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 02 / 05 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
day-to-day Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 22Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 22Al Horford (C)
Out Thurs Rest - 07 / 04 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Wed Knee - 05 / 04 / 22Al Horford (C)
Prob Wed Back - 05 / 04 / 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 Marcus Smart (PG) Ques Tues Foot - 16 / 05 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Smart is managing a right mid-foot sprain, and it has yet to be determined if he will face the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 05 / 22 3-1 2-3 + - Williams III is bothered by a bone bruise in his left knee, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Bucks.
Sam Hauser (SF) Out Tues Shoulder - 06 / 05 / 22 4-1 2-4 + - Hauser is battling a right shoulder injury, and he will not dress for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Sat Quadricep - 02 / 05 / 22 4-2 2-5 + - Smart is tending to a right quad contusion, but it is projected that he will face the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Marcus Smart (PG) day-to-day Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 22 5-2 3-5 + - Smart was removed from Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Bucks with a right shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will return.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 22 5-2 3-5 + - Brown is battling left hamstring tightness, but he is expected to take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Al Horford (C) Out Thurs Rest - 07 / 04 / 22 10-3 6-8 + - Horford will not be active for Thursday's contest against the Bucks as he will receive a day of rest.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Thurs Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22 10-3 6-8 + - Smart is battling a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to face the Bucks on Thursday.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Wed Knee - 05 / 04 / 22 11-3 7-8 + - Brown has right knee tendinopathy, but he is likely to take the court against the Bulls on Wednesday.
Al Horford (C) Prob Wed Back - 05 / 04 / 22 11-3 7-8 + - Horford is dealing with a sore lower-back, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Bulls.
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.