Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will look to both, extend their winning ways while extracting some revenge when they host the Boston Celtics in a prime time matchup of Eastern Conference championship hopefuls when they square off at Fiserv Arena on Thursday night. Now, with both teams looking to make a big statement in this showdown, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NBA odds.
Celtics vs Bucks 2020 NBA Odds, Game Preview & Pick
- When: Thursday January 16, 2020, 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Fiserv Arena, Milwaukee, WI
- TV: TNT
- Radio: Boston / Milwaukee
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass
- NBA Odds: Milwaukee -9.5 / Total: 225
Why Bet On Boston?
Boston has dropped four of its last six games, including a shocking 116-103 home loss against lowly Detroit on Wednesday. Still, there are some good reasons to back the C’s as nearly double-digit road dogs in this affair. Boston is ranked a stellar second in points allowed (104.6 ppg) while also ranking a decent 14th in scoring (111.2 ppg).
The C’s have also recorded a winning road record by going 11-8 SU and 11-7-1 ATS away from home. Then, there’s the fact that Boston recorded an emphatic 116-105 home win over the Bucks on October 30 to cash in as a 3.5-point underdog. Last, but not least, the C’s have gone an impressive 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 111.21
- Field Goals: 45.80%
- Three Points: 35.40%
- Free Throws: 80.44%
- Rebounds: 45.82
- Average Score Against: 104.62
- Field Goals: 44.44%
- Three Points: 34.17%
- Free Throws: 73.70%
- Rebounds: 43.97
Why Bet On Milwaukee?
There are also a bunch of great reasons to back Milwaukee in this one despite the fact that they’re giving up almost 10 points. The Bucks have won four straight games and nine of 10 with their last three wins coming by an average of 22.7 points. The Bucks are also on pace to become just the third team in league history to reach the 70-win plateau.
“We appreciate we’ve had a great start, but there’s still a lot of work to do,” head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters after Tuesday’s 128-102 blowout win over the visiting Knicks. “Defensively, individual pride, it feels like there are nights where we can’t keep the ball in front of us. Offensively, our execution, both when we’re playing motion and in the half-court stuff, we need to be better. That becomes more important in close games, in the playoffs.”
Milwaukee is ranked a stellar first in scoring (119.4 ppg) and an equally encouraging ninth in points allowed (106.8 ppg). The Bucks have gone 19-2 SU and 12-9 ATS at home while also going 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 119.40
- Field Goals: 47.90%
- Three Points: 35.45%
- Free Throws: 73.50%
- Rebounds: 51.79
- Average Score Against: 106.79
- Field Goals: 41.16%
- Three Points: 36.53%
- Free Throws: 77.07%
- Rebounds: 46.29
Celtics vs Bucks Expert Analysis and Prediction
Not only is Boston struggling right now, but the C’s definitely don’t have the interior size needed to stop the Bucks from having their way in the paint. The good news is that Boston possesses one of the best group of perimeter players in the league in Kemba walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward. Still that won;t be enough to upset a Bucks team that will be out for revenge in this contest.
Three of Boston’s last four losses have come by double digits. Not including their horrific effort at home against the Pistons the last time out. While I’m not real fond of the high spread, I am going to back Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks to get the win and narrow ATS cover. Boston has gone 1-4 ATS in their last five road dates against Milwaukee and the Bucks want to deliver a statement-making win should they meet the C’s in the postseason.
Pick: Milwaukee 118 Boston 107
