2018 Playoffs Preview: Bucks at Celtics NBA Odds for Game 5

The Milwaukee Bucks went to the locker room at halftime of Game Four in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal round against the Boston Celtics up 51-35. They had a lead that grew as big as 20 near the midpoint of the third quarter, but then they saw it evaporate in the second half, and it took a tip-in by Giannis Antetokounmpo with five seconds remaining in regulation to send the Bucks to a series-tying win. Antetokounmpo had 27 points for the game, but the Bucks couldn’t breathe easy until Marcus Morris clanked a 14-footer at the buzzer for Boston to leave the Bucks ahead by two. The teams have each won both of their home games, so can Boston gear back up to win at the Garden? Or will the Bucks continue their surprising run? Check out our NBA odds preview for this Tuesday night playoff affair.

2018 Playoffs Preview: Bucks at Celtics NBA Odds for Game 5

When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 7:00pm ET Where: TD Garden, Boston TV: NBA TV Radio: WTMJ 620 AM Milwaukee / WBZ 98.5 FM Boston Live Stream: NBA League Pass NBA Odds: Boston -2.5, O/U 204

Why should you bet on the Bucks?

The Bucks were able to hold off Boston despite the Celtics getting 34 points from Jaylen Brown and 21 points from Jayson Tatum. The Celtics actually took the lead with 52 seconds remaining thanks to Tatum’s 18-foot jumper. Milwaukee was able to make the Celtics look elderly with their quick transition game, turning defensive rebounds into fast breaks as the Celtics took their time getting back on defense. It took the Bucks building a 20-point lead for Boston to finally commit to hustling back after missed shots. In addition to getting 27 points form the Greek Freak, the Bucks got 23 points from Khris Middleton and 16 points from reserve Jabari Parker. Milwaukee shot well from the floor — at least until the fourth quarter — making 52 percent of their shots overall and going 10 for 23 from behind the arc. Malcolm Brogdon answered Tatum’s shot with a three-ball of his own with 33 seconds left on the clock to give Milwaukee back the lead. Milwaukee has the advantage in terms of speed, an advantage that Boston will struggle to match at home.

Why should you put your money on the Celtics?

Boston’s shooting dipped precipitously in their two losses in Milwaukee in this series. In Game Four, they shot just 41 percent from the floor and made just over a third of their three-point shots. Terry Rozier was particularly cold in Game Four, going just 3 for 12, and Greg Monroe was only able to stay productive for five minutes in that game. Boston is doing a terrific job of getting the most out of a roster that is still missing Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart, but coach Brad Stewart can only do so much to counteract the exposure that the Bucks are bringing. If you like Boston in this game, you see them getting back to the hustling defense that lifted them in the first two games of the series. In Milwaukee, they looked flat, and the Bucks were able to take advantage in transition, even after made baskets. The fact that Milwaukee has only covered the spread once in their last five trips to the TD Garden and once in their last seven meetings overall suggests that Boston is the smart pick, but they have to commit to better effort if they want to avoid going to Milwaukee in a 3-2 hole.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I predicted that Milwaukee would push Boston hard and might even win this series on the basis of the Celtics’ depleted starters and the Bucks’ raw talent and speed. Milwaukee doesn’t really run a halfcourt offense, relying instead on a streetball mentality that generates points. I see Boston making the adjustments in this game and pulling out a 110-106 win. However, what I see as an even more certain play is the “over” — these teams put in the points, and the “over” has covered in 13 of the last 17 meetings.