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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Prediction, Preview, and Odds

On Christmas Day, the Milwaukee Bucks travel to TD Garden for an Eastern Conference clash against the Boston Celtics. The Bucks were blown out 118-100 Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics handled the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-109 at home. The tip-off is slated for 5:10 PM ET. Boston opens as a 4.5-point home favorite.

Buck’s Hammered on the Road

The Milwaukee Bucks had a poor shooting night and couldn’t contain Kevin Durant as they were blown out 118-100 by the Brooklyn Nets Friday. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter as the Nets pulled away. Turnovers were the primary concern in this one, as they dished it back 18 times which led to 24 Brooklyn points.

”We’ve got to take better care of the ball,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said after the game to Associated Press reporters. ”We’ve got to make better decisions. We can’t just have possessions without shots. It’s on me. I think I’ve got to coach them better and we’ve got to work to take care of the ball better.”

The Bucks were within 10 nearly midway through the fourth quarter but Kyrie Irving delivered 14 fourth-quarter points to put the game away. Khris Middleton missed his fourth straight game with right knee soreness and is listed as questionable for this tilt on Christmas. Antetokounmpo appeared to hurt his hand in a fall but Budenholzer said an X-ray came back clean. Giannis is expected to play, while Middleton will likely be held out for a fifth straight game.

Jaylen Brown Strong in Win

Boston ended their season-long three-game losing streak with a 121-109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday. Jaylen Brown scored 23 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and Jayson Tatum had 30 points, eight rebounds, and five dimes.

”It felt good. It felt really good,” Brown said of his fourth quarter to AP reporters after the game. ”Obviously, I felt like it was just a matter of time. The first three quarters is probably one of the ugliest stretches of basketball in my career.”

Boston won for only the second time in seven games but moved back atop the NBA standings. Marcus Smart had 10 assists, seven rebounds, and six points after missing a game with an illness. Robert Williams was held out again, but he is expected back for this showdown against Milwaukee. Derrick White scored nine points in a three-minute stretch early in the third that erased a nine-point deficit, after he had an awful game against the Pacers last time out. He finished with 18 and 5 over 32 strong defensive minutes. Boston is still 23-10 even after their rough stretch, and they are primed for another big run.

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The Celtics ended their season-long three-game losing streak with a 121-109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday. Jaylen Brown scored 23 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and Jayson Tatum had 30 points, eight rebounds, and five dimes. They are one of the most efficient teams in the NBA on both ends of the floor. Entering this Christmas Day showdown, they lead the NBA in offensive rating and are ranked seventh defensively. They score the second most points per game and rank sixth in three-point shooting percentage. Milwaukee will be missing Khris Middleton for the fifth straight game and will be short-handed against an elite offensive club.

Take the Celtics to win and cover on Christmas.

Prediction: Boston Celtics -4.5 (-110)

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The Celtics and Bucks are 14th and 15th respectively in pace of play entering this Eastern Conference matchup. Milwaukee is excellent on the defensive end, holding opponents to the second-lowest shooting percentage. Considering they have met multiple times in the playoffs over the last three years, these clubs are very familiar with one another. Both will want to establish a dominant defensive presence on the perimeter, and both will want to limit any easy three-pointers. The total is set at 225.5, which is high considering the defensive fervor both teams play with. The total number has gone under in four of their last five meetings.

Take the under with confidence here.

Prediction: UNDER 225.5

Written By
Jason Raffoul, “Jason Raffoul”

Jason has been an avid sports fan, researcher, and expert bettor for more than a decade. Holding degrees in business administration, and years of commitment to learning and understanding the game, Jason brings with him a keen eye toward unique, modern-day analytical approaches to betting. We are very glad to have Jason’s talents here at StatSalt and we suggest that you follow him on a daily basis.

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