Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Predictions, Odds, Picks

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Nov. 12, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Both the Bucks and Celtics are coming off wins Wednesday night ahead of their matchup to start the weekend. Granted, the Bucks survived after blowing a major lead to the Knicks, and the Celtics lit up the Raptors. Boston hosts Milwaukee 7:30 p.m. ET Friday night on ESPN.

Score Prediction

Celtics 120, Bucks 112

Best Bets

Boston +2

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Predictions

The Bucks were without Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, which will be a major problem if neither can play against the Celtics. Boston has a ton of scoring coming from the wing withJaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and not having Middleton will be a glaring absence – especially on defense.

The Bucks survived a major letdown against the Knicks, blowing a 20+ point lead, but still winning the game. Giannis had a season-low in points, and now has even more of a scoring responsibility on his shoulders. The return of Jrue Holiday helped the Bucks perimeter defense, but Boston’s guards aren’t their strength on offense. Marcus Smart and Holiday may be battling more to limit facilitating than actual scoring.

Brown is still doubtful to play against the Bucks, as he is out with a hamstring strain, but Tatum will pick up the slack. Brown missed two games, but the team has won three of four – including their first home win on Wednesday. The team plays hard on defense but had a terrible start to the season.

Things have righted and they should continue to get scoring from Dennis Schroder, who can put pressure offensively on Holiday – while Smart can switch and cover Holiday on defense. Both teams come in off wins, and the Bucks have won two straight, but even without Brown the momentum is on Boston’s side.

The Bucks aren’t quite back yet, as they still aren’t fielding a fully healthy team. Not having Middleton and Lopez was a problem against the Knicks, but they are finding ways to win. Nothing’s changed up top, as Giannis continues to lead the team in scoring – eight straight games at that.

Both Holiday and Bobby Portis moved back to the starting rotation after being out with injury, and the Bucks are improving – both on the floor and getting healthier. Milwaukee gutted out a big road win against the Knicks and it may be a big letdown continuing their road trip in Boston.

Boston is playing improved defense over their recent stretch of winning games. They’ve won three of four keeping all three teams they beat under 100 points. Their lone loss in that stretch was to the Mavs where they only gave up 107 – which was also the first game Brown sat out with the hamstring injury.

The absence of Brown isn’t going to be easy to overcome, but Boston is also taking on a team that’s depleted – down one of their stars. Tatum has been fantastic over the past two games despite struggling in two wins prior. Al Horford and Robert Williamsaren’t blowing any doors off, but are serviceable enough to steal rebounds away from the Bucks.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Resources

• Matchup: Central vs. Atlantic
• Date: Friday, November 12, 2021
• Venue: TD Garden
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• TV-Time: ESPN - 7:30 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 6-6
• ATS: 6-6
• O/U: 3-9

No surprise Giannis leads the Bucks in points and rebounds, with 26.6 PPG and 11.8 RPG. He’s adding 6 dimes a night. Middleton’s absence leaves 20 PPG and just under 5 PRG/APG. Grayson Allen stepped up providing a lot of offense when other guys were down, averaging 15.4 PPG shooting 44.5 percent. Holiday averages 13 PPG but is still working his way back. Portis is at 12.5 PPG and Pat Connaughton is the final Bucks player to average double figures.

Boston Celtics Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 5-6
• ATS: 6-5
• O/U: 4-6-1

With Brown expected to miss this game against the Bucks, there’s multiple opportunities for players to fill the void. It’s a big one, however, as Brown averages 25.6 PPG and 6.1 RPG. He’s also shooting 49 percent from the field.

Tatum is the other monster on offense, putting up 23.5 PPG and 8.7 RPG. He’s been struggling from the floor shooting just 39 percent. Schroder and Horford are mid-range scorers with 14.5 and 13 PPG, respectively. Horford and Williams are each averaging just under 9 RPG.

Boston has lost four of its last five home games. (AP)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Head-to-Head

The first matchup between these two teams will be Wednesday night in Boston. The Bucks won two straight coming into this game against a Celtics team that’s won three of their last four games.

Key Players to Watch

• MIL: Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF (26.6 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 6 apg)
• MIL: Pat Connaughton - SG (10.9 ppg, 5 rpg)
• BOS: Jayson Tatum - SF (23.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg)
• BOS: Marcus Smart - PG (9 ppg, 4.2 apg)

Injuries

• BOS: Jaylen Brown - SG (Out)
• MIL: Brook Lopez - C (Out)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Conclusion

Both teams are missing massive production due to injury and it’s hard to ignore it from a betting standpoint. Both teams also have a guy that can take over the game like their respective counterparts weren’t even missing.

So, the question is what do you trust more, the loss of talent or the remaining superstars? Because if you think both teams are fine without Brown and Middleton, then it’s a Boston play all day. The Celtics have done a great job on Giannis and can live with him being the only guy who scores.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Trends

• Boston has lost four of its last five home games.
• Boston has covered the spread in three straight games when facing Milwaukee.
• The point total has gone OVER in five straight meetings.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson