The Milwaukee Bucks (2-3) will try to extend the series when they clash with the Boston Celtics (3-2) at BMO Harris Bradley Center in game six of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 26, 2018.
Milwaukee is a 5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 200 points.
Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks ATS Prediction
Antetokounmpo put up 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in game five, in which the Bucks lost 92-87, unable to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 179 points, which was 23.5 points below the projected point total of 202.5 points. The Celtics knocked down 24 of their 32 free throws (75.0 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.493 vs. 0.420).
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Milwaukee currently ranks 24th in possessions per game (97.9) and Boston is 23rd (98.0).
Boston holds records of 58-29 straight up (SU) and 52-31-4 against the spread (ATS). Of the Celtics’ 87 games, 46 have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee owns records of 46-41 SU and 36-46-5 ATS. Games including the Bucks have a tendency to finish over the total (57.5 percent).
Jaylen Brown and Al Horford have played at a high level over the last five games for Boston. Brown has averaged 24.4 points and 1.2 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Horford has put up 15.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game during that span.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boston is 29-14 ATS with 21 overs, 21 unders and 1 push.
At home, Milwaukee is 14-26-3 ATS with 24 overs, 18 unders and 1 push.
Milwaukee is 18-6 when they allow less than 100 points, while Boston is 37-5.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Celtics are 44-14 and the Bucks are 40-22.
Milwaukee ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (47.2) while Boston ranks 29th (39.9).
The Celtics rank second in second chance points allowed per game (10.9) while the Bucks rank 24th (13.3).
Milwaukee ranks sixth in fast break points per game (14.6) while Boston ranks 27th (9.5).
The Celtics rank ninth in rebounds per game (44.4) while the Bucks rank last (39.7).
Milwaukee ranks third in points off turnovers per game (18.0) while Boston ranks 23rd (15.3).
The Bucks rank third in steals per game (8.7) while the Celtics rank 22nd (7.3).
Boston ranks 10th in three pointers attempted per game (30.3) while Milwaukee ranks 25th (24.7).
The Bucks rank fourth in blocks per game (5.6) while the Celtics rank 18th (4.6).
Boston ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (21.4) while Milwaukee ranks 16th (23.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Celtics have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Boston has defeated opponents by an average of 3.4 points.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 104.0 points per game (2.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.8 points per game (2.8 below their season average).
*****
