After a tough loss to the Warriors on Wednesday, the Boston Celtics got back in the win column with an overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Conversely, the Bucks were blown out by the Knicks on Friday for their seventh loss in the last eight games.
To say the Bucks’ start to the season has been rocky would be an understatement, and my Celtics vs. Bucks predictions expect Milwaukee to struggle at home.
Read my NBA picks to see why you should take the Celtics and the points.
Celtics vs Bucks prediction
My best bet
Celtics -4 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Milwaukee Bucks are just 2-7 on the season and sit above only the rebuilding Toronto Raptors and injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. With an aging and shallow roster and multiple key injuries, Milwaukee is a true, two-man show with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard doing the heavy lifting.
Khris Middleton will remain out on Sunday, and both Gary Trent Jr. and Andre Jackson Jr. are questionable. Trent Jr. started the season with the first unit, and Jackson Jr. recently replaced him. The Bucks have struggled to find a reliable scoring threat to complement the two superstars, and Sunday’s injury report suggests those struggles will continue.
The Bucks’ offense ranks 20th in points per game at a paltry 111, while the defense has allowed the 10th-most points at 116. Milwaukee is just 3-6 ATS this season. At 8-2, the Boston Celtics have gotten off to a hot start this season, and they’re one of just two teams (11-0 Cleveland Cavaliers) with records above .500 in the Eastern Conference.
Boston’s offense ranks second in points scored at 120.9, and the C’s have allowed the 10th-fewest points per game at 109.9. Boston’s +11 point differential is fourth-best in the Association, and the team is 5-5 ATS. Boston’s talent and depth are too much for the struggling Bucks, so I’m taking the Celtics to cover on the road today.
Celtics vs Bucks same-game parlay
Celtics -4
Antetokounmpo to record a double-double
Lillard Over 24.5 points
Giannis’ double-double odds are far too short to bet outright, but this is a nice prop to roll into our parlay to beef up the odds and provide a layer of security. The Greek Freak leads Milwaukee in scoring at 30.1 points per game and comfortably leads the Bucks in rebounding at 12.8. He’s posted a double-double in every game he’s played this season, including a 30/10/6 game against the Celtics in the team’s first meeting. Giannis will be heavily involved in this one, and there’s no reason to bet on his double-double streak getting snapped here.
Lillard’s points line is set at 26.5, but I’m taking it two points lower for another high-probability add to our parlay. Lillard is averaging 27.3 points per game this season, and he dropped 33 when he faced the Celtics earlier this season. He’s got five 30-point games to his credit, including three in his last four appearances. Lillard has posted at least 25 points six times this season, and I’m betting he’ll do so again tonight. He and Giannis carry the offense every game, and that should be the case again.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Celtics vs Bucks odds
Celtics vs Bucks live odds
Celtics vs Bucks opening odds
- Spread: Boston -4 (-115) | Milwaukee +4 (-105)
- Moneyline: Boston -190 | Milwaukee +160
- Over/Under: Over 228 (-110) | Under 228 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Celtics vs Bucks spread and Over/Under analysis
- Boston is 8-2 straight up on the season, but the team is just 5-5 ATS.
- Milwaukee sports the second-worst record in the East at 2-7, and the team is 3-6 ATS to open the 2024-25 campaign.
- The Celtics’ offense has scored the second-most points per game this season, but the team is 4-5-1 to the Under.
- The Bucks have had a tough time scoring and a tough time stopping opposing offenses, and the team is 3-6 to the Under through nine games.
Celtics vs Bucks trend
Boston has won seven of the last 10 head-to-head matchups, including a 119-108 victory on October 28. The teams split the 2023-24 regular-season series two games apiece, Milwaukee covered in all four, and the Under hit in three of four. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Bucks.
How to watch Celtics vs Bucks
| Location: | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI |
| Date: | Sunday, 11-10-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCS-Boston, FDSWI |
Celtics vs Bucks latest injuries
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