Check out our free Bucks vs Celtics pick and preview for this NBA game in Boston. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.
Bucks vs Celtics NBA Pick & Preview
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics
- Where: Boston at TD Garden
- Date: Sunday, December 25th
- Betting Odds BOS -5, MIL +167 | BOS -200 O/U 224.5
So far, the Bucks have put together an overall record of 22-10, while going 17-13-2 vs the spread. Today, the Bucks will be looking to snap a 2 game losing streak. In these games, they have an average scoring differential of -13.0 points.
Not only did the Bucks drop their last game to the Nets. But they also picked up an ATS loss, as they fell by a score of 118-100 as 2 point underdogs. Milwaukee struggled throughout the game, as they were not able to chip away at a 13 point halftime deficit. Leading the team in scoring was Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he contributed 26 points while hitting 69.2% of his shots.
So far, the Celtics have put together an overall record of 23-10, while going 18-14-1 vs the spread. Against the spread, Boston has a mark of 1-2. Straight up, their record is 1-2 in these games.
The Celtics will look to keep things rolling, as they previously beat the Timberwolves by a score of 121-109. Heading into the game, they were 9 point favorites against the spread, giving them an ATS win. Although Boston trailed the Timberwolves going into halftime, by the end of the 3rd quarter they had taken the lead. Leading the team in scoring was Jaylen Brown, as he contributed 36 points while hitting 44.8% of his shots.
Head To Head Recap & Stats
Last year, the Bucks and Celtics had a competitive season series with each side posting a mark of 2-2. But, when playing at home, Boston had an above .500 record of 2-0. Similar to their season-long average, the Bucks averaged 115.0 points per game vs the Celtics. On the other side, Boston saw an improvement in their scoring numbers when playing the Bucks, as they averaged 118.25 points per game in these matchups. The ATS record across the previous 5 head-to-head meetings is 4-1 in favor of the Celtics. In these matchups, Boston has averaged 108 points per game, while allowing 99. The over-under record in these same games is 2-3, with the teams combining for an average of 207 points per game.
Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game
Through 32 games, Milwaukee is averaging 112.5 points per game (17th). So far, the Bucks are averaging 99.1 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. Not only is the team one of the more deliberate units in the NBA, they have yet to find their shooting stroke, ranking just 21st in the league in field goal percentage 46.1%.
Currently, the Bucks defense is ranked 19th in points allowed. So far, opposing teams are averaging 112.13 points per game vs the unit.
Power-Foward Giannis Antetokounmpo currently leads the Bucks at 31.4 points per game. For the season, he is 2nd in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 23.4% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Antetokounmpo is averaging 11.3 boards and 5.2 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 14th ranked defense at defending power-fowards. Jrue Holiday enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 25 games, he is averaging 18.7 and is 69th in the league in player efficiency rating.
Coming into today’s action, Boston is averaging 118.1 points per contest. This figure places them 1st in the league. So far, the Celtics are averaging 99.8 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. One thing to keep an eye on is if the Celtics will be able to maintain their current level of scoring. Not only does the team tend to play a slower style of basketball, but they are just 28th in shots made inside the arc.
So far, the Celtics have played well defensively, as they are ranked 1st in the league at 104.48 points per contest.
On offense, Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics in scoring at 30.5 points per game, placing him 5th in the NBA. Overall, Tatum has hit 47.1% of his shots while accounting for 24.2% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 3rd in points allowed to power-fowards. At 26.5 points per game, Jaylen Brown is the 2nd leading scorer for the Celtics. For the season, he is 48th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 48.8%.
Bucks vs Celtics Pick
- Free Spread Prediction: Bucks +5
- Free Total Prediction: Over 224.5
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