Celtics vs. Bucks Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Mar. 24, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference NBA action will take center-stage on Wednesday night with the Bucks set to host the Celtics in primetime on ESPN.

So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the top matchups on the evening’s slate.

Celtics vs. Bucks Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Fiserv Forum
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Date: Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2021
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Celtics vs. Bucks

Line Movements

Subject to Change

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The Bucks come into Wednesday’s matchup as a 4.5-point favorite – marking the 17th consecutive game Milwaukee has been favored in.

While the total for this contest currently sits at OU 230.5, which is just the sixth time the over-under for a matchup containing the Celtics has opened above 230 this season.

Jrue Holiday and the Bucks have caught fire by winning seven consecutive games. (AP)

Celtics vs. Bucks Current Form-Last Game

The Bucks head into Wednesday’s contest riding a seven-game winning streak – with Milwaukee’s most recent defeat coming in a matchup back on March 2nd against the Nuggets.

The Bucks played their most recent contest without Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup, which resulted in a blowout win over the Pacers anyway – as Khris Middleton (25 points), Jrue Holiday (28 points), and Pat Connaughton (20 points) all had big nights on the scoreboard in a 27-point win for Milwaukee.

On the other hand, the Celtics have now lost four of their last five games – with Boston’s only victory during that span coming in a win over the Magic this past Sunday.

In the Celtics most recent affair this past Tuesday, Boston was able to erase an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime against the Grizzlies. Boston was outscored 15-9 in the extra stanza though, and Memphis escaped with a six-point victory.

Celtics vs. Bucks Head-to-Head

Dec. 23, 2020 - Celtics 122 vs. Bucks 121, Boston +4.5, Over 223

The Celtics and Bucks have split their last four regular season matchups 2-2 SU – with only one of those meetings occurring since the start of the current season.

The most recent meeting between Boston and Milwaukee took place on opening night of this season, which concluded with the reigning MVP missing a pair of free throws to seal a one-point victory for the Celtics.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Boston Celtics Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 21-22 SU, 19-24 ATS, 23-20 OU
Road: 8-15 SU, 7-16 ATS, 13-10 OU

After reaching last year’s Eastern Conference Finals in the NBA bubble, the Celtics might be the most disappointing story in the league so far this season by currently owning a record of 21-22 SU and 19-24 ATS, while barely holding onto the eighth seed in the East.

Near the calendar turn from February to March, Boston appeared to ramp up the intensity on both ends of the floor – even leading the Celtics to wins in five of six games during a brief window.

The Celtics appear to have returned to the form we have become accustomed to seeing this season in past few weeks though, having covered the spread just twice in their last eight contests.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 28-14 SU, 20-22 ATS, 25-16-1 OU
Home: 17-5 SU, 13-9 ATS, 14-8 OU

It took Milwaukee a month or so to find its rhythm on offense after acquiring Holiday from the Pelicans this past offseason, but the Bucks are off to the races now – boasting wins in 12 of their last 13 contests, and their most recent victory coming without Antetokounmpo in the lineup.

Giannis is listed as questionable again for Wednesday’s matchup with the same knee issue that sidelined him Monday, but be weary of fading Milwaukee if he is unable to go again – considering the Bucks are now 2-0 SU and ATS during his absences this season.

The total has gone over in five of the last six matchups containing the Bucks, which is indicative of how their season has gone so far this year – considering the ‘over’ has now hit in roughly 61% of Milwaukee’s matchups this season, ranking 4th in the league in that department.

Key Injuries

Boston Celtics

SF Jayson Tatum: Illness - Questionable
C Tristan Thompson: Quarantine - Questionable

Milwaukee Bucks

SF Giannis Antetokounmpo: Knee - Questionable
SF P.J. Tucker: Ankle - Questionable

Player Prop Best Bet

Jaylen Brown – Over 22.5 Points (-110)

As a team, Boston has been wandering through a bit of a rough patch lately – sitting at 2-4 SU across their last six games.

The Celtics’ mediocrity can’t be blamed on a lack of offensive production from Jaylen Brown though, considering the University of California product has now scored 24 or more points in five of Boston’s last six games – with his lowest scoring output across that span being his 19-point performance against the Spurs.

I’ll back Brown to keep his outstanding season going with 23+ points again on Wednesday night, even though I still think Boston will inevitably lose this game.