Milwaukee Bucks-Boston Celtics: Match Preview, Stats, & Much More | 8 May

The NBA Playoffs are now in their best mode and each series looks enticing now, promising many more fireworks. That is why, it has been tricky to predict how the games will pan out but that is what makes the Playoffs fun, isn’t it? In the Eastern Conference Semis, the Milwaukee Bucks will host the Boston Celtics. The series is tied and in the last game, the Celtics completed an impressive 109:86 win as Jaylen Brown had an impressive 30 points outing. Can the Bucks shoot better this time around?

Handicap: Bookmakers from 22bet are giving the Bucks advantage in this game with the odds of 1.75 but it doesn’t mean they are projected as the clear-cut favorites. That is why the handicap in the favor of the Bucks is by just 2 points. However, I see the Celtics giving the Bucks a jolt away from home and claiming a road win to take a two-one lead. That is why I take them with a handicap of -2.5. (Handicap 2 -2.5 for 2.44)

Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict odds of 1.80 for Jaylen Brown going Over 23.5 Points here(At least 24 Points). Brown scored 30 points in the last game and I believe he has hit a sweet offensive streak here and will come up big here. I believe his points will be “Over” the mark. (Player Props: Player Points: Jaylen Brown Over 23.5 for 1.80)

Total: Bookmakers at 1xbet give the Total of 213.5 the odds of 2.03 going “Over” and 1.91 for “Under” and this is not a surprise that this series has set a precedent of being low-scoring. The last game fetched 195 points and Game 1 brought just 190. This is not a surprise considering that these are two strong defenses. I believe this will be the highest-scoring game of the series and I see both teams at least hitting 103 points mark, so I lean “Over” here. (Total Over 213.5 for 1.97)

This match is available on the NBA League Pass.

The Celtics’ defense was in full flow during the last game as they held the Bucks around 16% from the three-point line, the overall percentage of around 46% wasn’t all that terrible. The biggest backbone for the Celtics was the three-point shooting as they nailed 20 triples compared to just three. The key for the Celtics was that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both had amazing outings and connected for 59 points and they both shot over 50% combined which will surely get it done on most nights. The Celtics dished 28 assists and they are at their best when that ball is moving around. They have become an amazing defensive squad this season and their perimeter defense has been dialled in for most parts, will it be away from home?

The Bucks has had two inefficient games from the field and they surely have been off from the three-point line. Milwaukee lost the plot in the first half itself, getting outscored 65:40. It is tough to cover such big grounds against an elite defense like the Celts. Holiday’s shot has been off and the team must be missing Middleton’s scoring talent who can also knock down some crucial outside shots. Giannis shot 11/27 in the last game and dished 7 assists but had 6 turnovers too, which means his overall outing wasn’t the usual efficient self, this was after a 9/25 shooting night too. Portis had another strong effort, clinching 13 points and 8 rebounds, can the Bucks make some headway at their home floor?

• Celtics most likely starting five: PG: Marcus Smart | SG: Jaylen Brown | SF: Jayson Tatum | C: Al Horford | C: Daniel Theis;
• Key Bench Player: Grant Williams, Derrick White, Daniel Theis, Payton Pritchard;
• Bucks most likely starting five: PG: Jrue Holiday | SG: Wesley Matthews | PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo | C: Bobby Portis | C: Brook Lopez;
• Key Bench Players: Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, Jevon Carter.