The Boston Celtics (1-3) will attempt to stave off elimination when they travel to Fiserv Forum to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (3-1) in game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Celtics opened as 9-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 218 points and action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds
In game four, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a 113-101 victory. He notched a double-double with 39 points and 16 rebounds. Milwaukee covered as a 1-point underdog and the two teams combined to score 214 points, which was under the projected point total of 220. The Bucks’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Celtics. Milwaukee had a rate of 6.7, while Boston posted a mark of 9.6.
Of the Celtics’ 90 games, 49 have finished over the O/U total. Boston comes into the contest with records of 54-36 straight up (SU) and 43-45-2 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Bucks’ 90 games, 46 have finished over the O/U total. Further, Milwaukee owns records of 67-23 SU and 54-33-3 ATS.
The Celtics are 11-7 ATS with 10 overs, seven unders and one push in the playoffs, while the Bucks are 3-3 with four unders and two overs
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the productive offense of Milwaukee takes on the stingy defense of Boston. The Bucks rank third in offensive efficiency, while the Celtics are fifth in defensive efficiency. Ball security should be an advantage for the Celtics. They rank 5th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.4 percent). Conversely, the Bucks force the fourth-fewest turnovers in the league (opponents’ turnover percentage of 12.2 percent).
Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Bucks, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bucks rank fifth in second chance points allowed per game (11.9) while the Celtics rank 14th (13.4).
- Boston ranks seventh in three pointers attempted per game (34.3) while Milwaukee ranks last in three pointers allowed per game (36.1).
- The Bucks rank first in fast break points allowed per game (11.1) while the Celtics rank 14th (13.7).
- Boston ranks fifth in steals per game (8.3) while Milwaukee ranks 17th (7.4).
- Boston ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.9) while Milwaukee ranks 12th (4.8).
- The Bucks rank third in points in the paint per game (53.0) while the Celtics rank 26th (43.8).
- The Celtics average 25.9 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Bucks rank 18th in assists allowed per game (24.6).
- Milwaukee ranks fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.5) while Boston ranks seventh (15.0).
- Milwaukee ranks first in rebounds per game (49.9) while Boston ranks 21st in rebounds allowed per game (45.8).
- When holding opponents below 100 points, Milwaukee is 22-1 and Boston is 20-4.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Bucks are 66-18 and the Celtics are 52-27.
- Milwaukee is 26-18-1 ATS at home, while Boston is 21-22-2 ATS on the road.
- Of the Celtics’ 45 road games, they have 23 overs, 20 unders and 2 pushes.
- Of the Bucks’ 45 home games, they have 23 overs and 22 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Boston and Milwaukee have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Bucks are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Celtics are 2-3.
- The Bucks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, down from 9.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (3.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.0 points per game (3.6 above their season average).
