Celtics vs. Bucks Prediction
The Milwaukee Bucks won Game 3 in blowout fashion to get a game closer in their first round series versus the Boston Celtics. Is Milwaukee a strong bet to get another win this afternoon to even the series at 2-2?
Game Snapshot
501 Boston Celtics at 502 Milwaukee Bucks
Sunday, April 22, 2018
BMO Harris Bradley Center at 1PM ET
TV: ABC
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Bucks are a 4.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 204.5 points. As of Sunday morning, 55 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Boston. Check out our NBA Public Betting Page for more information.
Henson still doubtful
Bucks starting center John Henson missed Game 3 with a sore back, but it mattered little as the hosts rolled 116-92. Tyler Zeller received the start in Henson’s place, but it was instead Jabari Parker and Thon Maker off the bench who had big games. Parker had 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in 30 minutes played. Maker added 14 points, five boards and five blocks. With the main studs in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe also playing well it turned into a rout quickly as Milwaukee led 58-35 at halftime. Expect the same lineup if Henson doesn’t play Game 4 with Parker and Maker helping strengthen the bench unit rather than be inserted into the starting lineup.
Monroe with double-double off bench
Celtics veteran backup center Greg Monroe was very productive in the Game 3 loss, registering a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds along with two blocks over 23 minutes. Monroe did not do much over 10 minutes in Game 1, but saw his minutes increase to 17 in Game 2 as he had 12 points and four boards. With his time on the floor going up again, it appears he will have a solid role going forward in this series against his former team. In addition to playing for the Bucks briefly at the start of the season, Monroe also saw time with Phoenix before finishing the season on the playoff-bound Celtics. He averaged 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game for Boston in 26 games, all off the bench.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The over is 7-0 in the last seven Celtics games overall. Boston is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
Milwaukee
The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Milwaukee. The over is 5-0 in the last five Bucks games versus a team with a winning straight up record.
Prediction:
The total of 204.5 seems a bit low here. Even with the Celtics having a poor offensive game in Game 3, the total got to 208. Milwaukee’s offense seems to be in a good spot right now and it might play a bit faster with Henson off the floor. Expect a nice bounceback from Boston offensively, but even with a good Celtics defense I don’t think they will hold down the Bucks on the road here. Take the over.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CELTICS/BUCKS 204.5