Bucks vs. Celtics Game 1 Prediction
The Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs will tip-off at 1:00 p.m. ET on ABC when the Celtics host the Bucks in Game 1. With Boston laying five points as a home favorite and the total sitting at 217.5, what’s the best bet in the series opener today?
Game Snapshot
513 Milwaukee Bucks (+5) at 514 Boston Celtics (-5); 217.5
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 1, 2022
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: ABC
Milwaukee Bucks DFS Notes
Giannis Antetokounmpo racked up 33 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two turnovers in Wednesday’s Game 5 116-100 win over the Bulls. He was an absolute freight train from the jump, scoring 15 in the first quarter and finishing 8-of-9 from the field in the first half while running over Bulls on his way to the rim. Now the Bucks can look ahead to their matchup with Boston, and it’s likely that he’ll be seeing a heavy dose of Al Horford on defense with guys like Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Grant Williams chipping in based on previous encounters. Giannis fared well vs. Boston in the regular season, averaging 28.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in three appearances.
Boston Celtics DFS Notes
Jayson Tatum finished with 29 points, three rebounds and five assists across 36 minutes before fouling out of Monday’s win over the Nets. Tatum big night was spoiled by one of the most ridiculous foul calls you’ll ever see. Late in the fourth quarter, Tatum posted up Goran Dragic before the two tumbled over and Tatum was called for his sixth foul. Of course, the referee was Scott Foster, long known for his history of questionable calls. The Celtics held on to win the game and complete the sweep of Brooklyn, and Tatum finished the series with averages of 29.5 points, 7.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds across four games. Boston will face Milwaukee or Chicago in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Bucks vs. Celtics Game 1 NBA Playoffs Betting Prediction
The Bucks are 8-20 against the spread in their last 28 games versus the Celtics, including 0-4 against the number in their last four games at TD Garden. Milwaukee is also just 10-22 against the spread in its last 32 games as an underdog, is 14-29-1 ATS in its last 44 playoff games as an underdog and is 1-4 at the betting window in its last five games playing on three or more days of rest. On the other side, the Celtics are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games overall and have covered in four of their last five games as betting favorites.
NBA PLAYOFFS BETTING PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS -5