Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics Game 5 Betting Preview
Tied at two games apiece, the Milwaukee Bucks (2-2) will square off with the Boston Celtics (2-2) in a pivotal Game 5 matchup Wednesday night. The Celtics will host this one at the TD Garden with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.
In Game 4 on Monday, the Celtics were able to even up the series with a 116-108 win on the road in Milwaukee.
In the win, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford both had 30 points apiece. Tatum added 13 rebounds and five assists, while Horford added eight rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown each added 18 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 34 points to go along with 18 rebounds and five assists. Brook Lopez added 17, while Jrue Holiday had 16 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
The Celtics are the favorites playing at home. They are -230 to win while the Bucks’ moneyline sits at +190. The spread features Milwaukee +5.5 (-112), and the over/under for total points is 214.5.
By The Numbers
This season, the Bucks have had the stronger of the two offenses. They rank fourth in scoring averaging 114.5 points per game. The Celtics rank 13th averaging 111.5 points.
Defensively, it is the Celtics with the advantage. They rank atop the NBA in scoring defense allowing opponents an average of just 104.5 points per game. The Bucks rank 14th allowing 110.8 points.
Bucks Look To Reclaim Series Lead
In Game 4, the Milwaukee Bucks had a golden opportunity to take firm control of the series; instead, they lost at home and now have to travel to Boston in order to regain control of the series.
Milwaukee is 4-2 in their last six games against Boston, but they are just 1-5 against the spread when playing the Celtics on the road. They will look to improve on both Wednesday night.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to lead the Celtics. In nine games this postseason, he is averaging 30.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, seven assists, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Unfortunately for the Bucks, they will still be without Khris Middleton for this one. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jim Owczarski, head coach Mike Budenholzer has ruled out Middleton for Game 5, but he is leaving the door open on a possible return this series.
Middleton has been out since the series against the Bulls due to a sprain in his MCL. With him out, Jrue Holiday (18.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists), Brook Lopez (11.6 points, 6.1 rebounds), and Bobby Portis (11 points, 9.9 rebounds) will need to continue to step up their play.
Celtics Look To Home Court Advantage To Take Game 5
During the regular season, the Celtics were 28-13 playing at the TD Garden, and they will look to use that homecourt advantage on Wednesday to take the series lead.
Not only is Boston 5-1 in their last six home games overall, but they are 5-1 against the spread when playing against Milwaukee at home.
Leading the offense for the Celtics is small forward Jayson Tatum. In eight games this postseason, he is averaging 26 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and a block per game.
Outside of Tatum, other significant contributors include Jaylen Brown (22.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, four assists), Al Horford (15.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists), and Marcus Smart (14.7 points, three rebounds, 6.3 assists).
Take the Bucks And The Points
While the Celtics were able to take Game 4 and recapture home-court advantage, this isn’t as awful as it sounds for the Bucks. Not only were they 24-17 on the road this season, they have gone 3-1 on the road in the playoffs, including a Game 1 win at the TD Garden.
Granted, Boston is not an easy place to play, but being 5.5-point underdogs seems like a lot in this game. Even though the absence of Khris Middleton really hurts Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best player on the floor.
The Bucks could struggle to pull off the win, but there is a lot of value in taking them +5.5 (-112).
