Bucks vs Celtics NBA Playoffs Lines & Game 3 Predictions

The Milwaukee Bucks delivered a thunderous rebuttal to the Boston Celtics’ Game 1 victory when they delivered a 123-102 win in Game 2 on Tuesday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 29 points and 10 boards, and Khris Middleton knocked down seven three-balls (the team had a franchise-best 20 for a postseason game), putting up 28 points. Antetokounmpo went 7 for 16 from the floor and made 13 of 18 free throws. Eric Bledsoe put up 21 points and dished out five assists, and Milwaukee built a lead as high as 31 in the second half. Boston’s top scorer was Marcus Morris, who had 17 points. Jaylen Brown scored 16, and Al Horford chipped in 15. Kyrie Irving, who had put up 26 points in the opener, went just 4 for 18 and had nine points. The crucial period was the third, when the Bucks outscored the Celtics 39-18 and got 15 from Antetokounmpo alone. Now that the series shifts to Boston, can the Celtics take the lead again? Or will Milwaukee keep the momentum? Don’t miss our NBA betting preview.

Bucks vs Celtics NBA Playoffs Lines & Game 3 Predictions

When: Friday, May 3, 2019, 8:00pm ET Where: TD Garden, Boston TV: ESPN Radio: 620 AM WTMJ Milwaukee / WBZ 98.5 FM Boston Live Stream: ESPN+ NBA Odds: Boston -2 / O/U 220 

Why should you bet on Milwaukee?

The Bucks’ offense has clicked this entire postseason, as Milwaukee averages 116.7 points per game. Antetokounmpo has been their leading scorer, with 26 points and 10.8 boards per game, followed by Middleton with 20.0 points and 6.5 boards per game. Brook Lopez is pulling down 4.7 boards per game, and the team is averaging almost 52 rebounds per game. The Bucks’ offense struggled in Game 1, as Boston tried a pack-it-in approach to defense and dared Antetokounmpo to penetrate, and while that worked in the opener, the Bucks were able to open other paths to the hole on Tuesday. Milwaukee has won six of eight on the road straight up and has covered in 20 of their last 28 games away from home. They have also covered in five of their last six contests overall. With that said, they have only covered in four of their last 15 contests against the Celtics and just once in their last seven games in Boston. If you like the Bucks, you see that momentum they have built over the course of this season rewriting some of the team’s recent history at the Garden.

Why should you put your money on Boston?

Boston has not lost a game at home in these playoffs, although their offensive output is significantly less than that of the Bucks, at 101.8 points per game. Irving is the leading scorer, with 20.8 points and 7.7 assists per game, while Jayson Tatum scores 14.3 points per game and pulls down 5.5 boards per contest. Al Horford also scores in double figures, while Jaylen Brown is securing 6.2 rebounds a game. The Celtics don’t get quite as many rebounds as the Bucks (47.8 per game), but they also play at a slightly slower pace, generating fewer possessions. Boston has won eight of 13 at home — but they have covered just once in their last 10 at home (although they have covered in five of their last seven overall). If you like the Celtics, you see the seasoned leadership of Irving, Gordon Hayward and Horford holding firm against a Milwaukee team that is young and (while talented) not used to the klieg lights of the postseason.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The Boston Celtics bring both talent and discipline to the game, but we saw in Game 2 how Milwaukee could rebut their defensive strategy and send Antetokounmpo zipping to the bucket once again. I like Milwaukee and Boston to play a close first half, but I also see the Bucks pulling away for a 109-105 road win.