The Milwaukee Bucks (0-2) square off with the Boston Celtics (2-0) at BMO Harris Bradley Center in game three of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 20, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
Milwaukee opened as a 6-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 202.5 points.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Free Prediction
Antetokounmpo put up 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in game two, in which the Bucks lost 120-106, unable to cover as 1-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 226 points, which was 27 points above the projected point total of 199 points. The Celtics had a much better turnover percentage (4.9 vs. 15.1) and had a better free throw rate (0.122 vs. 0.091).
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the league’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Milwaukee currently ranks 23rd in possessions per game (98.1) and Boston is 22nd (98.2).
Boston holds records of 57-27 straight up (SU) and 50-30-4 against the spread (ATS). Celtics games have finished over the total 52.4 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee owns records of 44-40 SU and 35-44-5 ATS. Bucks games tend to go over the total (57.1 percent).
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Boston is 28-13 ATS on the road with 21 unders, 19 overs and 1 push.
At home, Milwaukee is 13-25-3 ATS with 22 overs, 18 unders and 1 push.
When allowing below 100 points, Boston is 36-5 and Milwaukee is 17-5.
The Celtics are 44-13 when they reach 100 points, while the Bucks are 38-22.
Milwaukee ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (47.6) while Boston ranks 29th (40.1).
The Celtics rank third in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while the Bucks rank 24th (13.3).
Boston ranks ninth in rebounds per game (44.4) while Milwaukee ranks last (39.8).
The Bucks rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.2) while the Celtics rank 23rd (15.4).
Milwaukee ranks sixth in fast break points per game (14.6) while Boston ranks 26th (9.5).
The Bucks rank third in steals per game (8.7) while the Celtics rank 22nd (7.4).
Boston ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (21.3) while Milwaukee ranks 19th (23.6).
The Celtics rank 11th in three pointers attempted per game (30.3) while the Bucks rank 25th (24.5).
Milwaukee ranks fifth in blocks per game (5.4) while Boston ranks 18th (4.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs.
Milwaukee is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.0, down from 3.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bucks have scored an average of 105.0 points per game (1.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.2 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
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