Game 1: Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks prediction, odds, TV channel
Four down, 12 to go. While the Boston Celtics didn’t blow out the Brooklyn Nets in any game of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series–the biggest point differential being seven, in Game 2–they did execute late in every contest against the odds-on favorite to win the NBA Championship at both the beginning of the season and after the trade deadline after the James Harden trade.
Awaiting them in the second round of the postseason is a familiar foe, and not just any: the defending NBA Champions.
Three years removed from blowing out the Cs in five games and sending Kyrie Irving packing from Beantown to an even more volatile situation in Brooklyn, the Milwaukee Bucks enter this series having knocked off the Chicago Bulls (a team they tanked the final few games to face) in six games.
After entering the Nets series as an underdog, it appears as though Ime Udoka’s Boston Celtics have the attention of Las Vegas oddsmakers. The Cs are -200 favorites to take the series.
But what about Game 1 this Sunday at the T.D. Garden? How far in Boston’s favor are the odds for the opener?
Hardwood Houdini has your odds and lays a prediction for the ABC-televised Eastern Conference postseason tilt:
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are a 4.5-point favorite against the Bucks at home. Milwaukee is a +100 road underdog, with the Cs moneyline set at -195. The over/under for the game has been placed at 218.5 points.
Celtics vs. Bucks prediction
Without Khris Middleton, the Bucks will be far simpler to game-plan against. Boston’s frontline of Al Horford and Robert Williams match up well with Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, while Giannis Antetokounmpo will have one less outside shooter to pass out of double-teams to.
Give us the cover in Game 1, with some adjustments to be made by Mike Budenholzer afterwards.