The Boston Celtics (1-0) meet the Milwaukee Bucks (0-1) at TD Garden in game two of the First Round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, and will air on TNT.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 197 points with Boston opening as a 2.5-point favorite.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Free Prediction
Antetokounmpo led both teams with 35 points in game one, in which the Bucks lost 113-107, unable to cover as 3.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 220 points, which was 21 points above the projected point total of 199 points. The Celtics had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (22.9 vs. 12.8) and had a much better turnover percentage (12.4 vs. 17.6).
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams clash. Boston currently ranks 21st in possessions per game (98.3) and Milwaukee is 23rd (98.2).
Milwaukee holds records of 44-39 straight up (SU) and 35-43-5 against the spread (ATS). Bucks games have a tendency to finish over the total (56.6 percent).
Meanwhile, Boston is 56-27 SU and 49-30-4 ATS. A little over half of Celtics games have finished over the O/U total.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Bucks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Milwaukee is 22-18-2 ATS on the road with 25 overs, 16 unders and 1 push.
At home, Boston is 21-17-4 ATS with 24 overs and 18 unders.
Milwaukee is 17-5 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Boston is 36-5.
The Bucks are 38-21 when they score above 100 points, while the Celtics are 43-13.
Milwaukee ranks seventh in points in the paint per game (47.5) while Boston ranks 29th (39.9).
The Celtics rank eighth in rebounds per game (44.5) while the Bucks rank last (39.9).
Milwaukee ranks third in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while Boston ranks 23rd (15.3).
The Celtics rank third in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while the Bucks rank 23rd (13.2).
Milwaukee ranks fifth in fast break points per game (14.6) while Boston ranks 25th (9.5).
The Bucks rank third in steals per game (8.8) while the Celtics rank 22nd (7.4).
Boston ranks 11th in three pointers attempted per game (30.3) while Milwaukee ranks 25th (24.6).
The Celtics rank fourth in assists allowed per game (21.3) while the Bucks rank 18th (23.6).
Milwaukee ranks fifth in blocks per game (5.4) while Boston ranks 18th (4.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Milwaukee is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Boston is 2-2-1 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Bucks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.0, up from 0.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (4.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.6 points per game (6.1 above their season average).
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