Free NBA Pick: Celtics vs. Bucks NBA Odds
Looking for Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Celtics taking on the Bucks on Saturday, May 7th, 2022 at Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Celtics Bucks matchup.
2022 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 2
(1-1) Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks (1-1)
Date: Saturday, May 7th
Time: 3:30 PM (ET)
Venue: Fiserv Forum Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
NBA Moneyline Odds: Celtics +137 | Bucks -118 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Bucks -2
NBA Betting Total: 213
The first-round series between the two-seeded Boston Celtics and third-seed Milwaukee Bucks switches venues for the next two games beginning on Saturday, May 7th, with the series all tied up at one win apiece.
Both teams finished the season with identical 51-31 records but the Celtics landed the second seed unafraid of facing what was considered the tougher opponent (Nets) while the Bucks rested their core to nab the much-preferred opponent (Bulls).
The Celtics were the lone team to sweep their first-round series taking down the preseason favorites to win the title – the Brooklyn Nets while the Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls in a gentleman’s sweep.
The teams split the 2021-22 season series 2-2 with Boston winning the initial two matches on November 12th (122-113 in overtime) and December 13th (117-103) while Milwaukee won the latter two contests on December 25th (117-113) and April 7th (127-121).
Boston holds the all-time advantage having won 114 times of the club’s 223 regular-season meetings.
This is the seventh occasion these clubs have met in the postseason with the Celtics also owning the advantage of winning five series although the Bucks took their last meeting in 2019 winning 4-1 in the semi-finals.
Boston Celtics
While the perimeter was the focus certainly the performance and improvement of Jaylen Brown was a huge factor in Game 2. He offered 30 points (11 of 18) hitting six 3-pointers adding six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block.
The status of Brown’s hamstring is still a concern as the wing kept reaching for the back of his leg during the match which begs the question of how healthy he truly is.
Jayson Tatum remained hot scoring 29 points with eight assists and five 3-pointers.
Yet it was Grant Williams who stepped into the spotlight as the Celtics’ x-factor offering 21 points, five rebounds, and also hot from deep (6 of 9) all while providing stellar defense on Antetokounmpo.
Marcus Smart (thigh) is listed as day-to-day having missed Game 2 but the Defensive Player of the Year told reporters there is a “strong likelihood” he suits up for Game 3.
Milwaukee Bucks
Through two games although Giannis Antetokounmpo has registered substantial production averaging a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds through two matches.
Yet, scoring hasn’t come easy for the Bucks superstar given how much attention Boston’s top-notch defense is focusing on him. Game 1, Antetokounmpo scored 24 points (9 of 25) and 28 points (11 of 27) in Game 2 with 9 and 11 free throw attempts augmenting his point tally.
For those stats lovers that’s 16 missed shots in each match so the question is whether the Freak will be more comfortable on his home court and whether the Celtics’ defense travels.
George Hill (abdominal) is questionable for Saturday. Khris Middleton (knee) is expected to miss the entire second-round series against
NBA Betting Trends:
- Boston is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee’s last 7 games.
- The Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
- The Bucks are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 playoff games as a favorite.
Free Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Prediction
Through two games the winning outcome can be dissected into scoring areas of the hardcourt. Specifically, it’s a paint versus perimeter battle with the Bucks centered on the former and the Celtics on the latter.
Milwaukee won the paint in both games in Boston with a 14-point advantage in Game 1 (34-20) and 30 point advantage in Game 2 (54-24) for an overall advantage of 88 to 44 through the two contests.
Meanwhile, the Celtics as noted in my recent preview scored six additional 3-pointers in Game 1 shooting 36% (18-50) while the Bucks hit 12 of their 34 attempts (35.3%) but it wasn’t enough of an advantage as Milwaukee won all the other key categories.
In Game 2, the Bean Town crew upped the ante drilling 20 of their 43 long ball attempts (46.5%) compared to 3 for the Bucks (3-18 for 16.7%). That accounted for a 51-point advantage for Boston and was the main differential in their Game 2 victory.
It’s said teams live and die by the 3-ball so the big question is if Boston will continue to prioritize outside shooting over the mid-range as starkly as they have through the first two games (attempted 93 perimeter shots versus 71 shots mid-range shots).
Conversely, can the Bucks make a defensive adjustment to address the perimeter and put less emphasis on the paint?
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Bucks ATS
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