Tied 2-2, the second-seeded Boston Celtics host the No. 3 seed Milwaukee Bucks for Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series at TD Garden. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we look at the Bucks vs. Celtics Game 5 odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Boston stole Game 4 Monday by outscoring Milwaukee 43-28 in the 4th quarter to book a 116-108 victory. Celtics C Al Horford had a career game with 30 points on 11-for-14 shooting (including 5-for-7 from 3-point range) and was a major reason for Boston’s 4th-quarter comeback win.
Bucks’ 2-time MVP PF Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dominant, putting up series bests in points (32.0), rebounds (13.0) and assists (8.0) per game.
However, SF Khris Middleton‘s absence is hurting Milwaukee’s late-game execution and PG Jrue Holiday has struggled to pick up the slack. Holiday is averaging a very inefficient 21.3 points per game on 33.7% shooting.
The Celtics are 8-1-1 against the spread (ATS) vs. the Bucks in their last 10 meetings and the total is 5-5 Over/Under (O/U).
Bucks at Celtics odds and lines
- Money line (ML): Bucks +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Celtics -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Bucks +5.5 (-110) | Celtics -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 213.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Bucks at Celtics key injuries
Bucks
- SG George Hill (abdominal) probable
- SF Khris Middleton (knee) out
Celtics
- PF Robert Williams III (knee) questionable
Bucks at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 112, Bucks 103
Money line
PASS because home favorites have been pretty reliable on the ML this postseason but the Celtics (-230) are out of my price range.
I cannot get behind the Bucks stealing Game 5 either because Giannis can’t play any better and Holiday is shooting the Bucks out of the games.
Boston’s defense appears to be wearing Milwaukee’s offense down and the Bucks are a Khris Middleton away from being up 3-1 in this series.